'Mr Promotion' arrives at Leeds

Today Leeds have announced the appointment former Queens Park Rangers manager Neil Warnock as their new manager on a deal running until the end of next season.

After meeting Leeds chairman Ken Bates yesterday in Monaco, Warnock decided to accept the offer of management. Warnock notoriously turned down Ken Bates when he was at Chelsea in the early nineties.

Leeds chairman Ken Bates said:

“We believe the appointment is arguably the most important we have made. 

“The objective was to appoint a manager who had for a proven track record of getting teams promoted and in Neil we have a man whose record is second to none.

“We want to be in the Premier League and we will support Neil in the quest to get us there.”

Here's one I did earlier - success at QPR last year.

Warnock (left) has have a long career in management  managing many clubs across all divisions and having success at many of them including Sheffield United and recently at QPR both of which he took to the Premier League. A manager with great experience and one who Leeds will hope can help them to gain promotion back to the Premier League.

Warnock told Leeds' official website, lufc.com:

“I feel I have one big challenge left in me and believe Leeds is a club that should be in the Premier League.  

“Having met with Ken Bates it was an easy decision to take up the challenge and with his support, we share the same vision of getting Leeds United in the Premier League.”

“I want to be the man who is able to deliver this for a set of fans who never cease to amaze me with their numbers and their loyalty.

Warnock had been linked with a number of jobs including that of Wolves and Huddersfield since his departure from QPR only last month. Current caretaker manager Neil Redfearn will return to his role in the academy after todays game against Doncaster Rovers.  Warnock is a respected manger and either love him or loathe him his record speaks for itself. It will be interesting to see how the fans react to the news as Warnock was not a popular figure around Elland road after his time at Sheffield United. 

Although with Leeds only 4 points of the playoffs, this is a possible aim for them however it is surely next season that Warnock will target. 

What do you think of the appointment?

What Next For Leeds United?

Grayson 'sheds a tear' at his sacking 

On Wednesday Leeds United announced that Simon Grayson had been sacked as manager. 

There had been rumours for the last few months that Grayson (right) was on the way out. Leeds currently sit 10th in the Championship and are only 4 points of the play-offs. So the position is set up for the incoming manager to propel Leeds into those play-off places. However with the transfer window having just closed the new man will have to work with what he has got. In this respect I do not understand Ken Bates' decision as if he knew he was to sack Grayson then earlier would have been better.

Grayson admits that he 'shed a tear' as he left Elland Road on Wednesday. After a run of poor performances his fate was sealed after a a dismal display and 4-1 defeat on Tuesday night against quickly improving Birmingham City. However now the attention turns to who the next manager will be. Leeds have reported that they have been inundated with credible applications for the job. SkyBet has Huddersfield's Lee Clark as the 8/11 with ex-QPR manager Neil Warnock  at 4-1. Warnock or 'Mr Promotion' has a track record with getting teams promoted which is what Ken Bates wants however the question would be whether the fans want him. Interestingly he does top the poll on the Yorkshire Evening Post. Also Warnock and Bates would clash due to the meeting of two very strong personalities and so feel it would not work.

Lee Clark would be a good choice. The young manager has done a terrific job at Huddersfield and has been unlucky not to be promoted in last two seasons.  Again this year they are very much in the promotion hunt with the in-form and surely future Premier League bound Jordan Rhodes the key man. I think that Clark will go if he is offered the job and would be a good appointment.

Gordon Strachan is the name that came to my mind when this job came up. He is out of work since his sacking by Middlesborough in October 2010. He is experienced and a former Leeds player. He is second on the YEP poll. SkyBet have him at 16-1 which would seem a decent bet.

Obviously many ex-Chelsea players such as Gus Poyet, Roberto Di Matteo, Gianfranco Zola and Dennis Wise have been linked however I do not think any of them will get the job.

Is Jones a serious contender?

Billy Davies who I think would be a great appointment and should not be ruled out. Steve Bruce is 10-1 and Davies 16-1 on SkyBet. Those also linked are ex-Cardiff City manager  Dave Jones, MK Dons' Karl Robinson, Alan Shearer and a return for David O'Leary. So many names heavily linked with the job including that of Neil Redfearn the current care-taker manager. However the funniest and most bizarre is that of Vinnie Jones (left) at which the price is 50-1.

Is Lambert Leeds bound?

The most interesting development is that of Norwich's Paul Lambert (right). The Norwich boss' odds have been slashed from 50-1 to 8-1 on SkyBet. This is very most interesting. To think that Lambert would leave Norwich after all his work is unthinkable. To leave a team who look like surviving in the Premier League and having a great year to take over a Championship club. I know the club is Leeds United and therefore a big job in football but with no money or financial clout I would surprised if Lambert arrived at Elland Road. To be fair they appointed Grayson from Championship Blackpool back in 2008 when Leeds were in League One. But this is completely different situation.

This is a difficult decision for Bates and one which wont be decided until at least next week. So who do you think it should be?