Poyet comes with a hefty price tag - YEP 3/4/13
By Phil Hay
Leeds United will face of compensation bill of £2.5million if they move to appoint Gus Poyet as their next manager, the YEP understands.
A seven-figure release clause in Poyet’s contract will complicate any attempt by Leeds to prise the Uruguayan away from Brighton and name him as Neil Warnock’s successor.
Poyet is on the short-list of candidates drawn up by Leeds to replace Warnock, who left his role as Leeds boss after Monday’s night’s defeat to Derby County, and reports yesterday claimed the ex-United assistant would be interested in the vacancy at Elland Road.
Brighton are on course to qualify for the Championship play-offs and Poyet, who led Albion to promotion from League One in 2011, is unlikely to consider leaving The Amex Stadium at the expense of a season in the Premier League but Leeds could make a formal approach for him if the Sussex club remain in England’s second tier.
Any bid to recruit Poyet would be a test of the financial clout of United owner GFH Capital, the Dubai-based firm which owns a 90 per cent stake in Leeds and bears the responsibility of securing Warnock’s replacement.
Poyet is heavily protected by his deal with Albion and while Reading met the required asking price during their recent search for a new manager, Poyet turned down an offer to take charge at the Madejski Stadium. He has long harboured ambitions of managing Leeds, however, after his spell as number two to Dennis Wise in 2006 and 2007.
Speaking to the YEP three years ago, Poyet expressed disappointment at United’s refusal to consider him for the job when Gary McAllister was dismissed in 2008.
“On the day after McAllister went I said to my wife ‘if Leeds want me, we go north tomorrow’,” he said. “She said ‘okay, no problem.’ I was ready to do it and I wanted to do it. I miss Leeds.”
Poyet’s decision to decline Reading’s approach prompted the Premier League side to secure Nigel Adkins, another coach who Leeds made tentative enquiries about as Warnock’s departure became inevitable.
Warnock conceded many weeks ago that with his contract due to expire in June, he would stand down as United’s manager as soon qualifying for the play-offs became impossible and a 2-1 defeat to Derby forced a parting of ways on Monday night.
With six games to play, Leeds were eight points adrift of sixth place at full-time and five clear of the relegation places.
Warnock’s dismissal effectively began the battle for the job at Elland Road, with ex-Reading boss Brian McDermott and former Bolton Wanderers manager Owen Coyle among the men putting themselves forward.
Michael Appleton – recently sacked by Blackburn Rovers – attended Monday clash with Derby but he is not thought to be a leading contender.
Leeds United will face of compensation bill of £2.5million if they move to appoint Gus Poyet as their next manager, the YEP understands.
A seven-figure release clause in Poyet’s contract will complicate any attempt by Leeds to prise the Uruguayan away from Brighton and name him as Neil Warnock’s successor.
Poyet is on the short-list of candidates drawn up by Leeds to replace Warnock, who left his role as Leeds boss after Monday’s night’s defeat to Derby County, and reports yesterday claimed the ex-United assistant would be interested in the vacancy at Elland Road.
Brighton are on course to qualify for the Championship play-offs and Poyet, who led Albion to promotion from League One in 2011, is unlikely to consider leaving The Amex Stadium at the expense of a season in the Premier League but Leeds could make a formal approach for him if the Sussex club remain in England’s second tier.
Any bid to recruit Poyet would be a test of the financial clout of United owner GFH Capital, the Dubai-based firm which owns a 90 per cent stake in Leeds and bears the responsibility of securing Warnock’s replacement.
Poyet is heavily protected by his deal with Albion and while Reading met the required asking price during their recent search for a new manager, Poyet turned down an offer to take charge at the Madejski Stadium. He has long harboured ambitions of managing Leeds, however, after his spell as number two to Dennis Wise in 2006 and 2007.
Speaking to the YEP three years ago, Poyet expressed disappointment at United’s refusal to consider him for the job when Gary McAllister was dismissed in 2008.
“On the day after McAllister went I said to my wife ‘if Leeds want me, we go north tomorrow’,” he said. “She said ‘okay, no problem.’ I was ready to do it and I wanted to do it. I miss Leeds.”
Poyet’s decision to decline Reading’s approach prompted the Premier League side to secure Nigel Adkins, another coach who Leeds made tentative enquiries about as Warnock’s departure became inevitable.
Warnock conceded many weeks ago that with his contract due to expire in June, he would stand down as United’s manager as soon qualifying for the play-offs became impossible and a 2-1 defeat to Derby forced a parting of ways on Monday night.
With six games to play, Leeds were eight points adrift of sixth place at full-time and five clear of the relegation places.
Warnock’s dismissal effectively began the battle for the job at Elland Road, with ex-Reading boss Brian McDermott and former Bolton Wanderers manager Owen Coyle among the men putting themselves forward.
Michael Appleton – recently sacked by Blackburn Rovers – attended Monday clash with Derby but he is not thought to be a leading contender.
