Leeds to unveil new boss on Monday

Leeds have delayed the announcement of their new manager until after the weekend.

Chairman Gerald Krasner and the Leeds directors will make a decision over the next 48 hours, with current caretaker Kevin Blackwell likely to be confirmed on Monday.

Krasner and his board conducted a three-hour meeting at Elland Road this afternoon to discuss the candidates they had interviewed over the past few days, with Blackwell in the running along with Rotherham’s Ronnie Moore and Peter Jackson at Huddersfield.

Blackwell has long been the favourite after spending the last year as head coach under former managers Peter Reid and Eddie Gray, and represents the cheap option.

Following the confirmation of Leeds’ relegation to the Football League, Gray was told his services were no longer required, leaving Blackwell to take charge of Leeds’ final match of their relegation campaign at Chelsea last Saturday.

Despite his lack of managerial experience, Blackwell is a respected coach and as he is in situ, it means cash-strapped Leeds do not have to pay compensation for another manager currently in employment.

Krasner has pressed ahead with his decision to appoint a new manager, despite the club still in talks with Steve Parkin regarding a potential takeover.

It is understood lifelong Leeds supporter Parkin, chief executive of the Brighouse-based Clipper Group of companies which is involved in haulage, warehousing and security, is now close to concluding a buyout from Krasner, who only took charge on March 19.

Should Parkin take over Leeds, and should Blackwell be appointed as anticipated, his reign could be one of the shortest on record if the prospective new owner decides he wants his own man in place at Elland Road.

Following the board meeting, director Peter Lorimer confirmed: “Progress has been made on all fronts.

“We’ve discussed all the items we needed to and things are moving on, but we are taking the weekend to digest things.”

Suggestions, meanwhile, Tottenham have first option to sign wanted winger James Milner have been scotched by Leeds.

It had been claimed the 18-year-old, who recently turned his back on a £5m (€7.4m) move to White Hart Lane in order to help the Whites’ promotion bid for next season, was being touted round the Premiership to raise more money than Spurs’ initial offer.

There were also allegations Leeds would have to pay a percentage of any profit made on Milner should he be sold to another club.

But a Leeds spokesman has strongly refuted the claim and said: “That is simply not the case. We have not signed any agreement with Tottenham.

“We were obliged to pass on the offer from Spurs, but made it clear we wanted James to stay at the club.

“We were delighted he chose to remain with us and be part of the club’s future plans, and we will be sitting down in the near future to discuss a new contract.

“But there have been no deals with Tottenham or any other club.”