Leeds axe Reid
By MICHAEL MORGAN
PETER REID'S turbulent eight-month reign as Leeds boss is over.
Reid, 47, will be axed after just 20 league games in the Elland Road hotseat.
The former Sunderland manager could even be told today that he is out of a job following Saturday's abysmal 6-1 thrashing at Portsmouth.
It is understood that Leeds chairman Professor John McKenzie, vice-chairman Alan Leighton, chief executive Trevor Birch and the rest of the board unanimously agreed that Reid had to go.
Birch will meet with Reid today to talk through the desperate situation in which Leeds find themselves at the foot of the table.
United are bottom of the top flight for the first time since the 1980-81 season, when they were relegated.
McKenzie and his directors were initially planning to give Reid more time to turn things around.
But they were horrified at the lack of fight and passion shown by the players at Pompey, which showed them clearly that it is not just axed striker Mark Viduka who will not play for the boss.
Reid is on a one-year rolling contract worth £850,000 at Elland Road.
That is the figure he will pick up in compensation for getting the axe.
And it means Leeds, who are £80million in debt, will have stumped up a staggering £7m compensation for sacking three managers in the space of 20 months.
David O'Leary walked away with a £4m kiss-off, while Terry Venables left with a £2m payout.
But the sole consideration for McKenzie and his directors is getting in the manager who can save their club from relegation - and certain administration.
They have decided that, after the debacle at Fratton Park, Reid is not that man.
All that remains is for McKenzie and Co to time the announcement of Reid's departure. Ideally they want to get his successor lined up before going public.
A favourite to replace Reid is former Leeds centre-half and youth team coach Paul Hart, who is currently manager at Nottingham Forest.
But also in the frame are West Brom's highly-rated boss Gary Megson and former Leeds skippers Gordon Strachan and Gary McAllister - in charge at Southampton and Coventry respectively.
Reid has chalked up only six Premiership victories - two this season - since replacing former England coach Venables last March
By MICHAEL MORGAN
PETER REID'S turbulent eight-month reign as Leeds boss is over.
Reid, 47, will be axed after just 20 league games in the Elland Road hotseat.
The former Sunderland manager could even be told today that he is out of a job following Saturday's abysmal 6-1 thrashing at Portsmouth.
It is understood that Leeds chairman Professor John McKenzie, vice-chairman Alan Leighton, chief executive Trevor Birch and the rest of the board unanimously agreed that Reid had to go.
Birch will meet with Reid today to talk through the desperate situation in which Leeds find themselves at the foot of the table.
United are bottom of the top flight for the first time since the 1980-81 season, when they were relegated.
McKenzie and his directors were initially planning to give Reid more time to turn things around.
But they were horrified at the lack of fight and passion shown by the players at Pompey, which showed them clearly that it is not just axed striker Mark Viduka who will not play for the boss.
Reid is on a one-year rolling contract worth £850,000 at Elland Road.
That is the figure he will pick up in compensation for getting the axe.
And it means Leeds, who are £80million in debt, will have stumped up a staggering £7m compensation for sacking three managers in the space of 20 months.
David O'Leary walked away with a £4m kiss-off, while Terry Venables left with a £2m payout.
But the sole consideration for McKenzie and his directors is getting in the manager who can save their club from relegation - and certain administration.
They have decided that, after the debacle at Fratton Park, Reid is not that man.
All that remains is for McKenzie and Co to time the announcement of Reid's departure. Ideally they want to get his successor lined up before going public.
A favourite to replace Reid is former Leeds centre-half and youth team coach Paul Hart, who is currently manager at Nottingham Forest.
But also in the frame are West Brom's highly-rated boss Gary Megson and former Leeds skippers Gordon Strachan and Gary McAllister - in charge at Southampton and Coventry respectively.
Reid has chalked up only six Premiership victories - two this season - since replacing former England coach Venables last March
I'm not surprised in the least!
