Leeds United: Leeds name Kelly as Rosler’s assistant

Kelly - the former Leicester City manager - has signed a two-year contract as assistant boss at Elland Road, becoming the first addition to Rosler’s backroom team.

The 50-year-old was available after leaving his previous job as West Bromwich Albion assistant in January and his appointment will be followed by other additions to Rosler’s staff.

Kelly, who retired as a player through injury at the age of 24, managed Leicester in 2006 and 2007 and has held prominent coaching jobs at Sheffield Wednesday, Preston North End and Nottingham Forest.

He acted as caretaker in spells for each of those clubs and also held the reins at West Brom in between the sacking of Alan Irvine and the appointment of Tony Pulis as manager.

Rosler told www.leedsunited.com: “I felt it would be very good to have such an experienced coach like Rob next to me.

“He’s been in this league for many, many years. He’s been in the Premier League. He knows this league in and out and he knows the players in and out.

“We’ve known each other for a while and I think it’s a good option. He’s the second man in command and he’ll be influential in the day-to-day running of our team. He’ll be important in terms of matchdays and he’ll be my close ally.”

Leeds are continuing to search for a separate first-team coach and they intend to name Richard Hartis - currently at Cardiff City and formerly employed with Manchester United’s academy - as their new goalkeeping coach.

Existing goalkeeping coach Neil Sullivan is set to return to an academy coaching role.

West Ham United head of sporting recruitment Martyn Glover, meanwhile, is poised to leave Upton Park and take up the same job at Elland Road.

Glover attracted Leeds’ attention after owner Massimo Cellino withdrew an offer made to Norwich City scout Stephen Head.

Head visited Thorp Arch two weeks ago and was set to become the club’s head of recruitment but Cellino opted to look for an alternative option after learning that Head planned to depart on an immediate holiday.