rumour...DOL is quitting Leeds to manage Man U next season...

-- Anonymous, March 02, 2001

Answers

Excellent - that should screw them both up.

-- Anonymous, March 02, 2001

Not your taxi driving source again is it Swifty?

-- Anonymous, March 02, 2001

Could mean that the MUF club will begin to play attractive football.

Cue a red lancastrian........

-- Anonymous, March 02, 2001

Not until he has finished this season's champion's league fixtures if there is any grain of truth in this story at all.

-- Anonymous, March 02, 2001

First step perhaps?

LEEDS UNITED have promoted Brian Kidd from director of the youth academy to first-team coach, with manager David O`Leary confirming that he is taking a back seat. O'Leary will still be involved in training sessions but will not take them from start to finish - freeing him up to concentrate on other activities.

The Irishman confirmed the moves, saying: "I've made Brian Kidd the new head coach at Leeds. There isn't a much better coach than him in the country or in Europe.

"He has fulfilled his task as youth development coach here earlier than I thought, so I felt there was no point in keeping him in that role any longer.

"I've never had a first-team coach - so now, with Brian in place, it will give me a break and I can step away from the lads a little bit.

"Instead of taking two hours for each training session I can step in for maybe 15 or 20 minutes and oversee things."

Kidd commented on his new role, saying: "I'm delighted to move into my new role at Leeds United.

"I've thoroughly enjoyed my time here and have received great support in putting together our new youth development team.

"There are some very talented and caring people on the staff. I'm sure the new youth set-up will go from strength to strength - but when the boss invited me to change roles I was happy to oblige.

"I am looking forward to working with the outstanding group of players we have here. It is a great challenge."

Friday`s appointment will add spice to Saturday`s clash with bitter rivals Manchester United, as Kidd left Old Trafford in acrimonious circumstances following a clash of styles with Red Devils manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Kidd, who will continue to oversee the youth set up, will be on the bench and come face-to-face with his former mentor.

The former England international moved from United to Blackburn Rovers, but failed to resurrect their flagging fortunes and was replaced by Tony Parkes after overseeing their relegation to Division One.

Kidd will join a first-team set-up of manager David O'Leary, assistant boss Eddie Gray and reserve-team coach Roy Aitken.

-- Anonymous, March 02, 2001

Probably a wise move on O'Leary's part with all the grumbling among their supporters. If they don't do well in Europe and continue their inconsistency at home, they'll probably be baying for his head at the end of the season.

-- Anonymous, March 02, 2001