Reid steps in at Leeds

Former Sunderland manager Peter Reid has been appointed caretaker manager of Leeds United following the departure of Terry Venables.

Venables left the club today after a dismal run of six defeats from Leeds' last eight Premiership matches.

The Elland Road club plan to appoint a permanent successor to Venables in the summer but have turned to Reid for the eight remaining matches this season.

In a statement to the Stock Exchange this morning Leeds plc confirmed the former England manager's departure.

Leeds are only seven points above the drop zone ahead of Sunday's trip to Liverpool and with eight matches to go the club have decided to end Venables' troubled eight-month reign now rather than wait until the summer.

Reid will be in charge against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.

Reid left Sunderland on October 7 following a 3-1 defeat at Arsenal. He was appointed by Sunderland in March 1995.

Venables had a two-year contract with both parties having an option to review the deal after his first year in charge so his departure will cost Leeds in terms of compensation.

The 60-year-old succeeded David O'Leary on July 8 last year, tempted at the prospect of working with a squad which reached the Champions League semi-finals in 2000.

Had Venables known six internationals would be sold by the end of the January transfer window it is unlikely he would have agreed to take on the job.

Rio Ferdinand started the exodus - sold to Manchester United in a £30million deal - and Robbie Keane (sold to Tottenham), Olivier Dacourt (on loan to Roma), Lee Bowyer (sold to West Ham), Robbie Fowler (sold to Manchester City) and Jonathan Woodgate followed, the sale of the latter to Newcastle for £9million almost proving the final straw for Venables, who thought about quitting but decided to battle on.

Leeds fans, who had been calling for Venables' head before a good run around Christmas, turned on club chairman Peter Ridsdale for overseeing the exodus of players.

But Leeds' feeble performance in their FA Cup quarter-final defeat against Sheffield United and subsequent defeats which have seen their form in the league nose-dive put the heat firmly on Venables again.