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Leeds United: Whites link is “just speculation” - Lee Clark
Huddersfield Town boss Lee Clark has confirmed he has not been approached by Leeds United about the vacant manager’s job at Elland Road.
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 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.
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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 United 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.”
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Comments
There are 14 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
Sick of Kens lies
Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 01:00 AMKoppite - SLING YOUR HOOK, YOU TALK MORE TRIPE THAN LORIMER.
original koppite
Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 03:31 PMNothing surprises me. LC started at Town the same time as SG took over at ER, SG took us to promotion on a pittance and LC, despite claims on here that he was backed by his board, is still in the 3rd. Makes as much sense as the rest of the stuff you lot post. You've driven Pappa to sack SG and you don't know what you've got till it's gone.
qbywhites
Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 02:22 AMLATEST:harry houdini has turned the job down,he said its a immposible job
Sick of Kens lies
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 09:39 PMComment 10 - Excellent, factual points.
COLIN104
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 09:28 PMClark is clearly touting himself for any job going. As a Leeds fan it saddens me to say, leaving Huddersfield for Leeds would be a massive gamble. Town have backed their manager. Even when they've sold a player, they've reinvested the money into the squad. Bates on the other hand would sell ANYTHING. Leeds were a massive club but are losing support dramatically. I still go but fully understand anybody who doesn't. Let's hope it's not too long before bates disappears for good!
Sick of Kens lies
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 09:11 PMLee Clark isn't no little cry baby. He's a winner. Loosing 2 games in 53 says all you need to know about him - he's mega hard to beat, and that's where teams that go on and win things begin - by being hard to beat.
Braemar1234
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 09:03 PMI want Souness, said it for while now, I have a sneaky feeling it will be him...hint hint.
mybloodiswhitedoctor
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 07:07 PMo leary for me...40 1 at the moment,he did say he had unfinished business
tiff
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 06:27 PMI remember Lee Clark at Newcastle when King K.K took him off he tried to go straight down the tunnel with his dummy but King Kev brought him back and made him sit and watch the rest of the match in the dug out. THIS GUY IS A LITTLE CRY BABY. FU-K HIM I AM SURE WE CAN DO BETTER
qbywhites
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 06:27 PMomg can it get any worse,lee clark! bates wont have to pay him much he wont get any money to spend,more loan players, the phrase laughing stock comes to mind, i dont like warnock but he has done the buisness in the championship
white rainbow
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 04:09 PMI don't think Lee Clark is the right type of manager for Leeds - Warnock stands out a mile - If Bates has learned anything with regard to managers he will go all out to get Warnock, who is the best "wheeler dealer " in the business, can motivate players, and has fire in his belly !.
danny25
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 03:51 PMim sorry but is it just me or is anyone else questioning why we are looking at lee clarke....2 defeats in 53 games...good record but how are they not either top or already been promoted. And if he was that good he would have won something in the 3 years. Too many draws under his leadership. Leeds fans are so fickle, Grayson did more in his 3 years at Leeds....I just don't understand this one! Personally I think the young lad at MK dons would be a better job. Why would Warnock come to a team he hates, Bates won't take the risk on paying his wages. Look at some other managers out of work, I personally would like to see Curbishly
Sick of Kens lies
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 02:51 PMI rate Lee Clark alot, but if it was my choice, i'd go with the proven Neil Warnock. Ken Bates likes Warnock apparently; he tried to get Warnock before when he was manager of Notts County, and failed, so i have a feeling that Bates may see it as unfinished business and go for him, which i would be very happy with. I don't really care who manages Leeds United to be honest, as long as the team start getting better results, give 100% effort every week and hopefully play a better brand of football (comes last of course), i don't care who it is. I just can't see it being Lee Clark though, how much compensation would Huddersfield want, and how much money would Lee Clark want to spend on bringing in his own players to strengthen the team ? To me it'll be one of the two Neils; Warnock or Redfearn..
Marti
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 02:27 PMBates should be looking at a proven manager who has the resourcefulness brought about by setbacks and triumphs in the past, not a young manager whose first managerial setback will be with us. We know he needs someone without an opinion, as that is how Bates works, but the club needs someone with genuine experience. Wise, Gary Mac and Grayson were all malleable and that's why they were appointed. So while we probably will get a Clark or a Hill, we should be looking in altogether different locations for our next manager if we are to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past seven years.
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