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."