Gary McAllister has been named Leeds United's new manager following Dennis Wise's exit.
Fans' favourite named new Elland Road manager
Gary McAllister has been named Leeds United's new manager following Dennis Wise's exit.
The fans' favourite has initially joined the League One promotion hopefuls until the end of the season.
His appointment was confirmed in a statement on the club's official website which read: "Gary McAllister is the new manager of Leeds United.
"The 43-year-old joins the club initially until the end of the season and will meet the players for the first time on Wednesday."
The former club captain spent six years at Leeds, making over 250 appearances before joining Coventry in 1996.
McAllister, who won 57 caps for Scotland, went on to manage The Sky Blues before stepping down due to family reasons.
Leeds were on the lookout for a new man at the helm following Newcastle United's surprise move for Dennis Wise.
Technical director Gwyn Williams will oversee Leeds' clash at Southend on Tuesday evening following Dave Bassett and coach John Gannon's exit.
McAllister could well be in the stands at Roots Hall on Tuesday before taking charge of first-team affairs for the first time this weekend when Tranmere visit Elland Road.
McAllister becomes the club's third manager in 16 months following the sacking of Kevin Blackwell in September 2006.
Treatment
Since David O'Leary's departure in June 2002, Leeds fans have seen seven different managers, including caretaker-boss Eddie Gray, come and go at Elland Road.
But in contrast to the arrival of predecessor Wise in October 2006, McAllister can count on the red carpet treatment from fans.
And it was the fans' opinion which persuaded Ken Bates to move for the Scot.
The Leeds chairman told
Yorkshire Radio: "Gary is a popular figure at Elland Road, a leader of men, likes to play good football and was available.
Gary will meet the players tomorrow and will work with them on Thursday and Friday and the team that goes out on Saturday against Tranmere will be his team."
Bates also hopes McAllister will continue Leeds' push for promotion out of League One in the coming weeks.
"The first job is to get back into the Championship and then we strengthen the squad with the aim of getting back into the Premier League where we belong.
"We are now debt-free. We are building on foundations of stone and not on foundations on stand."
