Fra Blackpool Gazette:
Thompson and Parkes could follow Larry to Elland Road
STEVE Thompson and Tony Parkes face a huge decision if Simon Grayson's switch to Leeds goes through.
The Seasiders assistants would almost certainly be offered roles in Grayson's backroom staff at Elland Road.
But both know that if they stay at Blackpool, they have a chance of being offered the manager's job on a permanent basis – and the lure ofADVERTISEMENTthat may be hard to resist.
If Pool and Leeds reach a compromise today which allows Grayson to quit and take over at the club he supported as a youngster, the 39-year-old will want his two trusted lieutenants to go with him.
Parkes has been by Grayson's side throughout his three-year tenure.
Thompson initially came in as youth team boss but was promoted to first team coach in summer 2006, at the start of the Seasiders' promotion winning season.
Parkes had several brief tastes of management during a 30-year association at Blackburn.
Thompson can't boast the same experience but would probably jump at the chance of becoming manager.
Until Grayson's position is resolved it is all ifs and buts, but if the manager does depart it is clear that chairman Karl Oyston has some big decisions to make.
Already riled at Leeds bid to appoint Grayson as their manager, Oyston will fight tooth and nail to make sure Parkes and Thompson don't depart as well.
In the end money talks and the duo may be tempted to hand in their resignations and follow Grayson to Elland Road.
But it's a tough decision for them both, especially for Thomspon who, if offered the job as Blackpool boss, would find it very hard to resist.
In fact Thompson, a popular man with the first tema squad, is probably one of the favourites to replace Grayson should the boss end up at Elland Road.
However, now Pool are a Championship club the list of applicants for the manager's position would be of a high calibre.
Paul Ince, Aidy Boothroyd, Billy Davies, Danny Wilson and Iain Dowie are all expected to apply. Former boss Stan Ternent and ex-Burnely manager Steve Cotteril – who applied for the job after Steve McMahon was sacked – would also be in the running.
The bonus of all those is that they are out of work and would be easy, and quick, to appoint.
Both Oyston and Grayson are today remaining tight-lipped about the Leeds situation.
Grayson has refused to comment but it is understood that the matter is well and truly out of his hands.
He will simply sit tight and wait to see if Blackpool and Leeds reach an agreement.
If they do, he will be installed in the Leeds hotseat and his first match in charge will be the Boxing Day 35,000 Elland Road sell out against – of all teams – his former club Leicester.
If Pool continue to refuse Leeds permission to speak to Grayson, the Pool boss has two options.
He can either hand in his resignation – an act that would probably end up with Oyston reporting Leeds for what he views as an illegal approach – or he can continue as Blackpool's manager.
In the event of the latter happening, it would be interesting to see if Grayson's heart was still in the job.
The manager was supposed to be on the annual staff Christmas do in Blackpool last night, along with Thompson, Parkes, goalkeeping coach Peter Fox and secretary Matt Williams. But he decided not to attend after the news about Leeds and their approach hit the headlines.
