Reports in this morning’s newspapers claim Venables is heading for the exit door. with Leeds in danger of being dragged into the relegation zone after a dismal run of one win in eight Premiership matches.

Leeds are only seven points above the drop zone ahead of Sunday’s trip to Liverpool with only eight matches left.

Eddie Gray, who managed Leeds from 1982-85, is tipped to take over as caretaker manager should Venables’ departure be confirmed.

Venables has a two-year contract with Leeds with an option to review the deal after his first year in charge.

The 60-year-old former England manager 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 £30m (€44m) 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 £9m (€13m) 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.