McAllister could take charge again at Leeds

McAllister, 49, is said to be one of three domestic candidates lined up for talks as Cellino 
attempts to conclude his search for Brian McDermott’s replacement.

Leeds are in the market for a new head coach after parting company with McDermott last Friday, 14 months after the 53-year-old took charge.

Contact between McAllister and Cellino during the past few weeks appears to have opened the door to the Scot for a second time.

McAllister, a member of Howard Wilkinson’s title-winning squad, managed Leeds for most of 2008, taking the club to the League One play-off final.

He was sacked by then chairman Ken Bates after 50 competitive games, the result of five straight defeats before Christmas and an FA Cup second-round exit at the hands of non-league Histon.

He took up coaching roles with Middlesbrough and Aston Villa following his dismissal and has worked recently in television.

He and Cellino are believed to have met at York racecourse on May 16 when the two men shared a corporate box owned by Steve Parkin, the Yorkshire businessman who has attempted to buy Leeds on a number of occasions.

McAllister was unavailable for comment last night.

Dave Hockaday, former Forest Green Rovers manager, also remains heavily linked with the vacant post at Leeds.

Cellino, has lined up a fresh deal to sell his Italian club Cagliari following the collapse of a mooted takeover by US investors.

A £36m bid for Cagliari made by former Inter Milan executive Tommaso Giulini has been accepted by Cellino.