Blackwell staying at Elland Road

Kevin Blackwell has agreed a new three-year contract with Leeds.

Blackwell, whose contract was set to expire this summer, has been rewarded for his work during his first two years in charge at Elland Road, turning the club into contenders for a return to the Premiership.

“I’m a big believer that if it ain’t broke you don’t mend it,” Bates told the Yorkshire Evening Post. “Kevin wasn’t going to be allowed to go anywhere else.”

Leeds manager Kevin Blackwell is “delighted” after agreeing the new three-year deal with the club.

Blackwell told the Yorkshire Post: “I’m delighted. I feel the club is only at the start of something good. I’m positive that we can go on and achieve good things.

“The other interest has been flattering, but there is nowhere else I would rather be than Leeds United.

“I’m happy at this football club. It’s a great place to be and it’s a great honour to be manager here.

“I can look to the future now and we can make plans – but my immediate focus is on getting Leeds out of the Championship and back to where we belong, in the Premiership.”

Leeds chairman Ken Bates added: “I’m a big believer that if it ain’t broke you don’t mend it.

“Kevin wasn’t going to be allowed to go anywhere else.”

Blackwell joined the club as head coach under Peter Reid in the summer of 2003 and was handed the job of manager on a full-time basis in May 2004.