The search for new Leeds boss continues..

By Andy Baggott
November 13 2003

3 days after the sacking of Peter Reid, there is no clear choice to replace him, and take the reigns off caretaker boss Eddie Gray...

Whilst the board have a supposed short list, which is said to include Paul Hart, Gordon Strachan and Eddie Gray, the only man who has publicly come out and said he wants it is Gray. Hart has this morning tried to distance himself from the role, whilst other potential candidates, such as Strach, Warnock and Megson have been all quiet on the subject. The new name in the frame today is ex boss David O’Leary. O’Leary, currently at Aston Villa, has apparently fallen out with Villa Chairman Doug Ellis, and this has increased the tabloid speculation that the Irishman could be brought back.

So, is the water getting any clearer? Not really. He facts are that Hart, although distancing himself from the job, has not completely ruled himself out. He cannot come out and say he’d love the job, as he is contracted to another club, and if he didn’t get the post, his position at Forest would be impossible. The same applies to many other names in the list, which is why it is all so quiet. Eddie Gray has thrown his hat in the ring, as he has no one to worry about upsetting. DOL is a different matter. Will he return? I doubt it. Although he is still respected by some members of the board, too much water has passed. Lucas Radebe admitted only a few month ago that DOL had indeed ‘lost’ some of the dressing room, and several of those players are still there. It would also divide the Leeds fans. Some hold him in great esteem, feeling he should never have been sacked, whilst others would hate to see him back, blaming him for a lot of the problems. His success can be attributed to the millions he was allowed to spend, and the fantastic youth players he had coming through, the Smiths, Woodgates and Kewells.

So where does it all leave us? Well, although it appears quiet, you can be assured that there is much more going on behind the scenes than we know. The board will have a short list, and a preferred choice, but don’t expect a decision too quickly – we’ve made that mistake before…