Reid meets Leeds's needs

Temporary position
The former Sunderland AFC manager, who parted company with the Wearside club last October, has been installed for the remaining eight games of Leeds's Premiership campaign, starting with Sunday's trip to Liverpool FC. The Yorkshire club are expected to announce a permanent replacement in the summer.

Ridsdale talks
Venables's fate was sealed after talks with Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale yesterday. The ex-England coach had been unable to prevent a poor run of results which has left Leeds in 15th place in the table. Eddie Gray, who managed the side from 1982 to '85, was expected to take over as caretaker manager until the end of the season but Reid was given the job this morning.

Club statement
A statement to the London Stock Exchange said: "Leeds United today announced that Terry Venables has left the company. The company expects to appoint a permanent successor in the summer, and intends to announce the appointment of an interim manager to supervise the first team for the remaining games of the season."

UEFA Cup exit
Leeds have lost four games in a row, including an FA Cup quarter-final defeat by Yorkshire neighbours Sheffield United FC, the First Division side who also eliminated them from the League Cup. Additionally, Leeds were knocked out of the UEFA Cup in the third round by Spanish club Málaga CF.

Players sold
Venables succeeded David O'Leary last July, but saw numerous first-team players sold in an attempt to solve the club's financial problems. Rio Ferdinand started the exodus by joining Manchester United FC for €46.9m, before being followed out of Elland Road by Robbie Keane, Lee Bowyer, Olivier Dacourt - on loan to AS Roma, Robbie Fowler and Jonathan Woodgate. Woodgate's €13.75m switch to Newcastle United FC almost provided the final straw for Venables in January.

Career history
Venables led England to the semi-finals of the 1996 UEFA European Championship, and won the FA Cup with Tottenham Hotspur FC and Primera División title with FC Barcelona. More recently, he was caretaker coach at Middlesbrough FC and had spells with Portsmouth FC and Crystal Palace FC.