Poyet: Fans want ME to be Leeds boss

The Albion boss – a strong contender for the United job prior to Brian McDermott’s appointment – appeared to confirm suggestions that he was interested in the post by saying he expected to “have the opportunity to go to Leeds sooner or later.”

United included Poyet on their short-listed of candidates to replace former manager Neil Warnock, who was sacked on April 1, and the Yorkshire side are believed to have made contact with Brighton about his availability.

Poyet’s contract at The Amex Stadium includes a £2.5million release clause, however, and Brighton’s on-going fight for promotion further complicated a quick appointment. Leeds turned instead to ex-Reading manager Brian McDermott, tying him on a three-year deal on April 12.

The two coaches will lock horns at Elland Road this weekend in a Championship match which holds no bearing for Leeds but could confirm Albion’s involvement in the play-offs.

Poyet – assistant manager at Leeds under Dennis Wise in 2006 and 2007 – said: “It’s a great place. I love that place and I will probably go back one day because I enjoyed my time there so much.

“The relationship without being in charge was so powerful with the fans that I am sure I will have the opportunity to go.”

The choice of McDermott as Warnock’s successor was ultimately met with widespread approval in Leeds and the United boss has two more matches in which to assess the squad he inherited this month. Saturday’s clash with Brighton is their final home fixture of the term.

The 52-year-old promised over the weekend that he would be open and honest with United’s board about his requirements for the summer, with talks about the transfer window expected to intensify this week, and he has spoken again about the need to improve United’s infrastructure ahead of his first full season in charge.

“There are a number of issues that I have seen,” McDermott said. “Nothing major but there are things here that I would regard as an irritant more than anything else. We can take care of these as a group, the club as a whole, and that would take away any little issues.”