Leeds turn to Venables

Leeds United will offer Terry Venables a two-year £2.5m contract to become their new manager, after deciding not to fight Middlesbrough for the services of Steve McClaren.

The Leeds chairman, Peter Ridsdale, has spoken to Venables and, after a weekend of uncertainty, decided the former England manager is the most expedient option to replace the sacked David O'Leary.

Venables, on holiday in Spain, could be named early this week as Leeds look to end the saga that has gone on since O'Leary's sudden exit last month. It will be a surprise choice in many eyes, but Venables has regained his appetite for management and it is only just over a year since he kept Middlesbrough in the top flight.

Venables' coaching ability and player-friendly approach is something Leeds like, and he also has a shrewd grasp of football politics, which he will need at Elland Road.

The veteran wheeler-dealer has also demanded a two-year deal rather than a one-season caretaker arrangement that would not have done anyone any favours.

Ridsdale had much to ponder this weekend as Martin O'Neill, the Celtic manager, put himself out of the running and pressure to make an appointment mounted. McClaren, the Middlesbrough manager, had been installed as the favourite after initial enquiries were made by the Elland Road club, but Leeds backed off for fear of a battle with Boro.

McClaren has an escape clause in his contract at the Riverside, but Middlesbrough's chairman, Steve Gibson, would still have taken on Leeds in the courts if he had suspected an illegal approach. Also, McClaren would have wanted to take his coaching staff with him to Leeds, which would have suited neither club.