Bates: Leeds played by the book

Leeds chairman Ken Bates insists United have not done anything wrong following Simon Grayson’s controversial departure from Blackpool to take over in the Elland Road hotseat.

The former Leeds defender tendered his resignation at Bloomfield Road yesterday, which was not accepted by the club, and was later announced as the new Leeds manager.

Blackpool are unwilling to release Grayson from his contract, which has 18 months remaining, and are considering legal action against Leeds and their former boss.

But Bates told Yorkshire Radio: “We approached Blackpool with a view to speaking to Simon and they refused permission. That was the end of it, but they then told him they had an approach and he told them he wanted the job.

“Then Blackpool put this in the public domain – we said nothing because that’s how business should be conducted – but nevertheless because it was in the public domain we felt that we had the right to approach Blackpool again, which we did.

“Meanwhile, Simon saw their chairman and they had a disagreement because he felt he’d done a good job there, wanted this opportunity, and they were stood in his way. He then resigned.

“As a free agent, we then offered him the job at Leeds.”

Bates is confident the 39-year-old is the right man to reignite Leeds’ Coca-Cola League One promotion challenge following the sacking of Gary McAllister on Sunday.

“We’re delighted to welcome Simon to the club,” the chairman added. “I like him and he has a real personality, which is important.

“He’s got a good track record, he knows our opponents, he knows the level we’re at and he can get us out.

“He started his career here and he knows the club. He’s a Yorkshireman as well and we have to have someone who is committed to living and working in this area.”

Grayson told LUTV: “I certainly wouldn’t have dropped down a division for any other club and I feel this is the next stage of my managerial career.

“When the opportunity came to come here I couldn‘t wait to be involved as quickly as possible.

“It‘s a massive club and close to my heart, having played here before and supporting the club. The size and the ambition is obviously an attraction as well.

“I had a great time at Blackpool. I had a great rapport with the fans and the board,” he added.

Grayson becomes the ninth manager at Elland Road in the last 10 years after he built up an impressive CV and reputation at Blackpool.

He enjoyed a six-year stint at Bloomfield Road, first as a player then as manager, during which he guided the club to promotion to the Championship in May 2007 before staving off the threat of relegation last term.

Grayson’s brief at Leeds is to repeat that feat with the fallen Yorkshire giants, with their current run of five consecutive defeats raising fears they could fail even to make the play-offs.

Grayson’s first game in charge will be the visit of former club, and current League One leaders, Leicester – with whom he won the League Cup in 1997 – on Boxing Day.