Yorkshire Post
Now Mills quits in Leeds exodus
FORMER England defender Danny Mills is set to join the Leeds United exodus and return to the Premiership with Manchester City.
His departure, hot on the heels of Ian Harte's move to Spanish club Levante, will all but complete the demolition of a squad that reached the semi-finals of the European Champions League just three years ago.
In a strange twist of irony, Leeds have arranged to play Valencia, their semi-final conquerors, in a pre-season friendly at Elland Road in just over two weeks' time.
Only two of the players who lined-up in the Leeds squad on May 8, 2001, will still be around to renew acquaintances with the Spaniards; long-serving full-back Gary Kelly and Norwegian midfield player Eirik Bakke.
The break-up of that talented and exciting group of players has been as hasty as it has been brutal.
Leeds have struggled to survive financially and are preparing for life in the Coca-Cola Championship after being relegated from the top-flight of English football after a 14-year residency.
Full-back Mills and Harte have both been sold to reduce the club's wage bill.
Harte, who spent nine seasons with Leeds, signed a four-year deal with Levante, who have just won promotion to Spain's Primera Liga.
Mills travelled across the Pennines yesterday to discuss a free transfer move to Manchester City after spending the majority of last season on loan with Middlesbrough.
"Negotiations are at a delicate stage but we have been speaking since the middle of the week," said his agent, Neil Featherby. "There has been a lot of interest in Danny with clubs knowing he is available on a free."
Harte, who was unveiled by his new club at a press conference, said: "I am sad to have left Leeds because I have left some good friends there. But I think I have made a positive step in my career coming to Levante, this is where you find the best teams in the world."
Manager Kevin Blackwell signed youngster Danny Pugh from Manchester United earlier this summer with a view to replacing Harte at left-back. Both Gary Kelly and Frazer Richardson will compete for the rightback slot.
Former Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Martin Hodge has been appointed as Leeds's new goalkeeping coach.
Hodge, who was also in charge of the reserve side at Hillsborough prior to being released two seasons ago, replaces the departed Steve Sutton.
Blackwell is still looking for a goalkeeper for Hodge to coach after missing out on Everton's Steve Simonsen.
Teenager Scott Carson is the only goalkeeper on the books following the sale of Paul Robinson to Tottenham and the release of Shaun Allaway.
Blackwell said: "Martin knows the League and knows how to develop a keeper. Steve has left and he did a great job over the six years he was here but it was part of the cost-cutting that went on and Martin's now come in. His role is to make sure the goalkeepers develop well," he added.
Blackwell is hoping to add a new goalkeeper in time for next week's training camp in Sweden but says any new arrival will not affect Carson's progress.
"We're looking for someone with proven Premiership or First Division experience," said Blackwell.
"But we're also looking at the situation with a view to developing Scott, to bring him into the team and if he's playing well then he'll stay there."
Now Mills quits in Leeds exodus
FORMER England defender Danny Mills is set to join the Leeds United exodus and return to the Premiership with Manchester City.
His departure, hot on the heels of Ian Harte's move to Spanish club Levante, will all but complete the demolition of a squad that reached the semi-finals of the European Champions League just three years ago.
In a strange twist of irony, Leeds have arranged to play Valencia, their semi-final conquerors, in a pre-season friendly at Elland Road in just over two weeks' time.
Only two of the players who lined-up in the Leeds squad on May 8, 2001, will still be around to renew acquaintances with the Spaniards; long-serving full-back Gary Kelly and Norwegian midfield player Eirik Bakke.
The break-up of that talented and exciting group of players has been as hasty as it has been brutal.
Leeds have struggled to survive financially and are preparing for life in the Coca-Cola Championship after being relegated from the top-flight of English football after a 14-year residency.
Full-back Mills and Harte have both been sold to reduce the club's wage bill.
Harte, who spent nine seasons with Leeds, signed a four-year deal with Levante, who have just won promotion to Spain's Primera Liga.
Mills travelled across the Pennines yesterday to discuss a free transfer move to Manchester City after spending the majority of last season on loan with Middlesbrough.
"Negotiations are at a delicate stage but we have been speaking since the middle of the week," said his agent, Neil Featherby. "There has been a lot of interest in Danny with clubs knowing he is available on a free."
Harte, who was unveiled by his new club at a press conference, said: "I am sad to have left Leeds because I have left some good friends there. But I think I have made a positive step in my career coming to Levante, this is where you find the best teams in the world."
Manager Kevin Blackwell signed youngster Danny Pugh from Manchester United earlier this summer with a view to replacing Harte at left-back. Both Gary Kelly and Frazer Richardson will compete for the rightback slot.
Former Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Martin Hodge has been appointed as Leeds's new goalkeeping coach.
Hodge, who was also in charge of the reserve side at Hillsborough prior to being released two seasons ago, replaces the departed Steve Sutton.
Blackwell is still looking for a goalkeeper for Hodge to coach after missing out on Everton's Steve Simonsen.
Teenager Scott Carson is the only goalkeeper on the books following the sale of Paul Robinson to Tottenham and the release of Shaun Allaway.
Blackwell said: "Martin knows the League and knows how to develop a keeper. Steve has left and he did a great job over the six years he was here but it was part of the cost-cutting that went on and Martin's now come in. His role is to make sure the goalkeepers develop well," he added.
Blackwell is hoping to add a new goalkeeper in time for next week's training camp in Sweden but says any new arrival will not affect Carson's progress.
"We're looking for someone with proven Premiership or First Division experience," said Blackwell.
"But we're also looking at the situation with a view to developing Scott, to bring him into the team and if he's playing well then he'll stay there."