Blackpool may sue as Grayson goes to Leeds

(Getty)

Blackpool were last night considering legal action against Leeds United and Simon Grayson after their former manager, who handed in his resignation at 8.30am yesterday, was announced as the new Leeds manager a few hours afterwards.

Leeds wanted to make a quick appointment after sacking Gary McAllister at the weekend following a run of five consecutive defeats. But Blackpool had not accepted Grayson's resignation before he accepted the Leeds job, and were still arguing over the terms of his departure last night.

There is no doubt that Grayson, brother of the former England one-day cricketer Paul Grayson, who is now a coach at Essex, will take over at Leeds. The only question is the level of acrimony between the clubs, and the final compensation package.

Grayson, 39, had been at Blackpool for six years as a player and then manager, guiding them to their highest league placing for 40 years. Under him they won the League One play-off final in 2007 to reach the Championship.

A boyhood Leeds fan, he started his playing career there as an apprentice and made two senior appearances for the club before leaving for Leicester City in 1992. He also played for Aston Villa and Blackburn. Blackpool refused his resignation and were unwilling to release him from his contract because it still had 18 months to run. "The resignation was not accepted and we are now considering legal action against both Simon Grayson and Leeds United," a statement said.

Grayson is Leeds' ninth manager in 10 years and takes over with the club ninth in League One.

9

Number of managers, with Simon Grayson's appointment, to have taken charge of Leeds United in the last 10 years.