Reid sacking was outrageous: Blackwell
Leeds manager Kevin Blackwell has accused the former Elland Road regime of “outrageous” behaviour in the way they went about sacking Peter Reid.
Headed by chairman Professor John McKenzie, the Leeds board opted to dismiss Reid after just 22 Premiership games in charge of the cash-starved club, and 10 months later they are rebuilding under Blackwell in the Championship.
With Gerald Krasner now chairing the Leeds board, Blackwell is happy with the direction in which the club is moving.
But he remains upset by the manner of Reid’s dismissal, particularly irked by the way he – as a member of Reid’s staff – had been asked to assess the performance of his own boss.
“It was a horrible situation for everyone. The way Peter was treated was outrageous and I wouldn’t want to come across that situation in football again,” Blackwell told the Yorkshire Post.
“I can’t believe the way it was handled. Within weeks of coming here, I was even being asked whether I thought Peter was doing a good job. He was given a raw deal.
“I am delighted he is back in football with Coventry and there is no doubt in my mind he will bring success to that club.”
Reid and Blackwell will cross swords this weekend when Coventry visit Elland Road on Saturday afternoon.
Blackwell will be delighted to see his former boss, and added: “When he left, he told me not to do anything rash, and I stayed. I just wish that he had stayed too, and the club was still in the Premier League.”
Before Saturday’s match, both managers will be hoping to secure the services of Birmingham striker Stern John.
Leeds and Coventry have both had £150,000 (€221,000) offers accepted for the Trinidad & Tobago marksman, who has fallen out of favour at St Andrews – with his chances of first-team Premiership football being ironically dealt a blow by the arrival of compatriot Dwight Yorke from Blackburn.
