Ken Bates will have to dig deep to land Simon Grayson for Leeds UnitedLeeds United may have to pay a six-figure compensation fee for Simon Grayson after Blackpool rejected an approach for their manager last night. Grayson, who began his playing career at Elland Road, is the surprise name to have emerged for the vacant role after Gary McAllister was dismissed on Sunday, followed by Steve Staunton, his assistant, yesterday.
Adrian Boothroyd, who left Watford last month, and Gustavo Poyet, the former Tottenham Hotspur first-team coach, were thought to be in contention to take over at the Coca-Cola League One club. Despite Blackpool’s refusal, the Championship side are not believed to be willing to stand in the way of Grayson should he ask to leave. “Simon would be desperate to go,†a source close to Grayson said.
Grayson has a substantial get-out clause in his contract, which has 18 months left, but coming to an agreement will not be straightforward, with Karl Oyston, the Blackpool chairman, and Ken Bates, his Leeds counterpart, both strong-willed characters. Despite Leeds’s fall from grace — they were Champions League semi-finalists seven years ago — Grayson is attracted to the post. He lives in Skipton, North Yorkshire, and would be used to the tight financial constraints that he might expect at Elland Road, from his time at Bloomfield Road.
Grayson, who ended his playing career at Blackpool, took charge of the reserve squad and was appointed manager in 2006 after a spell as caretaker when Colin Hendry was dismissed. They were promoted to the Championship two seasons ago and are sixteenth in the table this campaign. “The club can confirm Leeds United have approached the club and the approach has been firmly rejected,†a Blackpool statement said.
McAllister was dismissed after Leeds lost their fifth consecutive game away to Milton Keynes Dons on Saturday. The Scot replaced Dennis Wise in January and they were beaten by Doncaster Rovers in the play-offs final at Wembley.
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