48-yr-old installed clear bookies favourite to be new Leeds manager

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Published on:

04 Feb 2018, 8:58 am

By Richard Parks

Paul Grayson has been installed the strong favourite to become the next Leeds United manager, according to the latest bookmakers' odds. Paddy Power made the 48-year-old former Elland Road boss the 7/2 favourite to replace current boss Thomas Christiansen after Saturday's 4-1 thrashing at home by Cardiff City prompted fresh speculation about his position. Grayson is well clear of second favourites Paulo Sousa and Jaap Stam (both 10/1), as well as ex-West Ham boss Slaven Bilic (12/1).

Christiansen steered Leeds to the top of the Championship table in early September but the team have dropped to 10th in the division after failing to win a single game since Boxing Day and were dumped out of the FA Cup by League Two minnows Newport County. Grayson has strong links to United after coming through the youth ranks at the club as well as being a lifelong supporter.

He took charge of Leeds in 2008 and led them to promotion from League One in 2010 as well as steering them to a seventh-place finish in the second tier in 2010-11.

But Grayon was dismissed by then-owner Ken Bates in 2012 with the club just three points off the play-off places.

No Leeds manager has bettered his seventh place finish in the Championship since his departure, although Garry Monk did match that feat last season.

Grayson was sacked after a short spell at Sunderland earlier this season following four years as manager of Preston North End. In other Leeds United transfer news,

it can be revealed that a centre-forward who has player for the team this season has had his contract terminated

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