O'Leary warning over Leeds 'spin'

David O'Leary claimed yesterday that Leeds United have "a great spin doctor at the club".

The Irishman was sacked on Thursday as manager after almost four years in charge. The club claimed the decision was taken for footballing reasons but O'Leary said he fears the story could be spun to protect Leeds' reputation.

"As long as the club stick to the reasons I'll keep my silence and go peacefully," he said yesterday. "But if I see some spin to suit the image of the club then I will have something to say.

"They have a great spin doctor at the club. I've heard that it [the sacking] could have had something to do with the players and that amazes me. I've spent £60m and I don't think that was squandered.

"I got the sack for reasons I can accept but where I will come out in anger is if spin is put on it that is wrong." And he added: "There is one person at the club who is particularly good at spinning."

Celtic's Martin O'Neill is the favourite to succeed O'Leary, though a Celtic spokesman said yesterday there had been no approach from Leeds. Charlton have ruled out Alan Curbishley, who signed a four-year deal last year.

O'Leary claimed on Thursday that Leeds had already lined up a successor but the club's chairman David Ridsdale insisted no one is in the frame.

"I haven't approached anybody," he said. "At the moment we have a shortlist which has been added to because a number of people have let it be known they would like to be considered. I've been pleasantly surprised by the interest expressed by some quality managers."

Although Ridsdale continues to deny that Rio Ferdinand will be heading for Old Trafford shortly, Lee Bowyer is still set to leave Elland Road. "Nothing has changed," his accountant David Giess said. "Lee is still on the transfer list."