Lee Clark: Ken Bates hasn’t asked me to run Leeds

Leeds sacked Simon Grayson, assistant manager Glynn Snodin and first-team coach Ian Miller on Wednesday following a series of disappointing results that saw the club slide out of the top six in the npower Championship.

Clark, reported to be Leeds chairman Ken Bates’ first choice to succeed Grayson, said no contact had been made, but stopped short of ruling himself out of the job.

He said: “It’s just speculation. Until I’m told otherwise I’m the manager of Huddersfield Town.”

Clark, hoping to lead Huddersfield to promotion to the Championship in his third full season in charge at the Galpharm Stadium, was installed as the bookmakers’ favourite on Thursday alongside former QPR and Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock.

The 39-year-old added: “I’m aware of it, but ultimately it’s the same as last time.

“I’m not trying to blow my own trumpet, but it’s because people outside our football club think I’m doing a good job.

“I’ve been linked with a number of jobs over the past 12 months, but that’s because our record backs that up.

“We’ve had only two defeats in 53 league games, the value of the squad is hugely higher than when I came to the club and the corporate side of the club is going through the roof, which is only down to the way the team plays.

“I don’t think I’m too bad a manager really and that’s why people are interested I think.”

Bates is in no rush to make a decision, with academy coach Neil Redfearn placed in temporary charge for tomorrow’s game at Bristol City.

A statement from Leeds today read: “The club has been inundated with credible approaches for the vacant managerial position since the departure of Simon Grayson and his staff on Wednesday.

“The club will begin the process of examining the expressions of interest early next week.

“We can confirm at this stage that no approaches have been made, either directly or indirectly, to potential candidates either in work or currently looking for employment, although we have been offered the services of many who are currently in work.”

Grayson, who won promotion to the Championship while in charge of Blackpool in 2007, succeeded Gary McAllister as Leeds boss in December 2008.

He won automatic promotion from npower League One in 2010 and steered the club to seventh in the Championship last season.

However, three successive defeats over the Christmas period and indifferent form since have cost him his job and he admitted he shed a tear after being told his services were no longer wanted.

The 42-year-old, who had previously been released by the club as a player, told the Yorkshire Evening Post: “I had a tear in my eye when I left the club 20 years ago and I had a tear in my eye again [on Thursday].

“The only difference was I went with one bin liner of stuff 20 years ago, this time it was three!

“I would like to thank all the players who have played within my three years. Also, my thanks goes to all my staff who have been helpful during my period in charge.

“I wish the supporters all the best for the future and maybe one day I may get the chance to come back to this great football club.”