LEEDS // Leeds United could face legal action after appointing Simon Grayson as manager, despite him still being employed by Blackpool. Blackpool rejected Leeds' request to open discussions with Grayson and refused his resignation from the Lancashire club, but United still announced that the former Leeds midfielder would be succeeding Gary McAllister. "The resignation was not accepted by the board of directors and the club and are now considering legal action against both Simon Grayson and Leeds United," a Blackpool FC statement said.
Grayson, 39, won the League One play-offs with Blackpool in 2007 and had been contracted until June 2010, having only signed his first deal in December 2007 - two years after taking charge. McAllister left Leeds last weekend with the club in ninth place and the Yorkshire club has turned to Grayson in its search for promotion. He guided the Tangerines to 19th place in England's second tier last term - their highest league position for more than 40 years.
Grayson started his playing career with Leeds but failed to win a first-team place and moved on to other clubs including Leicester and Aston Villa. Leeds are desperate for promotion after failing to get out of the third tier last season. The club were Champions League semi-finalists in 2000 but dropped from the Premier League in 2004 amid huge financial problems and then into League One three years later.
*AP
