FORTY FOUR MILES FROM GREATNESS

Last updated : 11 November 2003 By editor

After a day of deliberation and apparent procrastination, Leeds have finally decided to part company with manager Peter Reid. The 6-1 defeat to Portsmouth on Saturday appears to have been the final straw for the club's directors and the search will now begin for Reid's successor.

A statement from Leeds United plc released to the Stock Exchange said:

"Following a meeting today between Trevor Birch, the chief executive and Peter Reid, it has been mutually agreed that Peter steps down as first team manager with immediate effect. While the board acknowledges that Peter did a sterling job for the club towards the end of last season in keeping United in the FA Premier League, it believes it must not allow this season to reach a point beyond which the club's Premiership status comes under serious threat. The recent run of results has clearly been unacceptable. The board therefore concluded that it has a duty to act now.”

"With effect from tomorrow morning, Eddie Gray will take over the duties of the first team manager on a caretaker basis, assisted by Kevin Blackwell, the chief coach.”