Leeds, Nov 11: Peter Reid has left his post as Leeds manager. Peter Reid has left his post as Leeds United manager, the club said on Monday (November 10) in a statement to the London Stock Exchange. Reid had been in charge of Leeds, who are heavily in debt and bottom of the English premier league, since March but his position was in severe doubt following Saturday's 6-1 defeat at Portsmouth. Former player Eddie Gray is taking over as caretaker manager. The statement 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.


"The process of identifying a longer term first team manager is underway and the board has a clear view of the credentials required of any candidate.


"Notwithstanding current financial constraints, United is determined to return to its place as one of the top clubs in England and is looking to appoint a new first team manager who will reflect this determination."


Peter Reid factbox: Born: June 20 1956 in Huyton, Merseyside 1974 - Signed professional terms with Bolton Wanderers 1978 - Won second division championship with Bolton. Made over 250 appearances for Bolton between 1974 and 1978 before being struck by string of injuries. 1982 - Signed for Everton for 60,000 pounds ($95,680). Made debut in 3-1 win against Nottingham Forest. 1984 - Part of Everton's 1984 FA Cup-winning side. 1985 - Helped Everton to league title and European Cup Winners' Cup success. Named PFA Player Of The Year. June 1985 - Won first of 13 England caps as a substitute against Mexico. 1986 - Reached quarter-finals of World Cup with England. 1987 - Everton won league title again with Reid as captain. 1988 - Won last of England caps against Switzerland. 1989 - Joined QPR on free transfer after making 155 league starts for Everton in seven year spell. December: Debut for Manchester City, aged 33. 1990 - Took over as player-manager of City but sacked three years later. 1995 - March: Appointed Sunderland manager. 1996 - Sunderland won first division title. 1997 - Sunderland relegated after one season in top flight. 1999 - Club won first division championship again. 2000 - Sunderland finished seventh in premier league. 2001 - Seventh place again. 2002 - May: Escaped relegation on final day of campaign. 2002 - August: Spent 10 million pounds ($16.71 million) on strikers Tore Andre Flo and Marcus Stewart. September: Told to take time off by chairman Bob Murray after 2-0 premier league defeat by local rivals Newcastle United. October 7 - Dismissed by Sunderland after 7-1/2 years in charge. 2003 - March 21: Appointed caretaker Leeds manager after sacking of Terry Venables. May 9: After 3-2 win at Arsenal on May 4 averted relegation, offered permanent manager's job by new chairman John McKenzie. July: Forced to sell top player Harry Kewell to Liverpool for 5 million pounds ($8.31 million) because of financial difficulties. November 10: Sacked after 6-1 loss at Portsmouth on November 8 leaves them bottom, their seventh defeat in eight league games.


Bureau Report