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Leeds United: Bates could hire McAllister replacement this week
LEEDS UNITED could have a new manager in place before the Boxing Day meeting with League One leaders Leicester City following the sacking of Gary McAllister and the departure of Steve Staunton.
Stay tuned for a SportsTalk special on the crisis at Elland Road - online from this afternoon.
Click here to read a match report of McAllister's last stand.
Click here to read Norman Hunter's opinion on the McAllister departure.
The Elland Road club yesterday sacked McAllister after less than 11 months in charge following a woeful run of form.
And Staunton has also left the club this morning.
Saturday's 3-1 reverse at Milton Keynes was United's fifth straight defeat and means they are now five points adrift of the play-offs in ninth place.
The Yorkshire Post understands the club are keen to make an appointment as quickly as possible to allow the new man time to assess the squad ahead of the transfer window opening in January.
And this desire for a speedy resolution to the search for a new manager suggests the club will be looking for someone who is not employed at the moment.
Former Derby County and Preston North End manager Billy Davies certainly fits the bill with the Scot not having worked since leaving Pride Park 13 months ago, while Adrian Boothroyd is another looking for a return to the game.
The Bradford-born 37-year-old was on the coaching staff at Elland Road when Kevin Blackwell was in charge and is out of work following last month's departure from Watford.
Gus Poyet is another possibility with his impact as Dennis Wise's assistant at Leeds meaning he has to be considered a leading contender due to the high esteem he is held at Elland Road. It was felt by club insiders that the Uruguayan's influence was sorely missed after he opted to join Juande Ramos at Tottenham Hotspur in October 2007.
Poyet, who left White Hart Lane last month, was in the crowd at Milton Keynes on Saturday when United were comprehensively beaten.
Leeds were tight-lipped last night over the search for McAllister's successor but the Yorkshire Post understands the new man could be in place before the festive meetings with Leicester City and Stockport County.
A club statement said: "The board took the decision following the recent poor run of results that has seen the club slip to ninth in League One, 15 points behind the leaders and five points outside the play-offs.
"The decision was made to ensure that the new manager, when appointed, has the maximum number of games possible to move the club up the table and also before the transfer window opens in January to allow him to identify any new players he thinks can strengthen the current squad.
"The club would like to place on record its thanks for the loyal service given to Leeds United by Gary since joining the club as manager in January 2008 and wish him every success in the future. The club will make no further comment on a replacement until we are in a position to make an appointment, which we are committed to doing as quickly as possible."
McAllister was appointed Leeds manager in late January following Wise's shock decision to join a reshaped management team at Newcastle United.
His first game ended in defeat and it took another four games for United to win under the Scot.
However, they then embarked on an excellent run of form that saw Leeds lose just two more games in the regular season.
Had it not been for the 15-point penalty imposed before the season, United would have finished in the top two but instead they had to settle for the play-offs, where they lost to Doncaster Rovers.
Hopes were high this season would see United dominate League One and they started November in the automatic promotion places.
However, a collapse in form has seen Leeds drop down the league, culminating in a lame performance at MK Dons that led to the watching Ken Bates to call time on McAllister's reign.
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Friday 10 February 2012
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