More than two weeks of carefully orchestrated shadow-boxing will end this afternoon with confirmation that George Graham has left Leeds United to fill the managerial vacancy at Tottenham Hotspur.
The deal, worth a reputed £6 million to him over four years, was agreed after a telephone call yesterday to the hotel in Madeira where Leeds were staying after their UEFA Cup victory over Maritimo on Tuesday.
Spurs issued a statement last night to confirm "the appointment of our new manager" and it will be formally announced at a press conference at White Hart Lane at 4.0 this afternoon.
The news of Graham's defection will anger not only Leeds supporters but also many thousands of Tottenham fans who feel it is inappropriate to appoint the man who transformed the fortunes of their north London rivals Arsenal during his nine years in charge at Highbury.
Although the Leeds United chairman Peter Ridsdale had indicated at the weekend that he felt inclined to rebuff Tottenham's formal approach, he finally abandoned his fight last night.
"The uncertainty could not continue because that would not have been fair," Ridsdale said. "It was debilitating for the club, for the players and for the supporters.
"I have done everything I can to try and avoid this situation. But we were in a position where we simply had to let him talk to Tottenham. The Leeds supporters must have, on a long-term basis, someone who genuinely wants to manage this football club." Leeds will receive at least £2 1/2 million compensation from Spurs.
Before, during and after the Maritimo game Graham was jeered by a group of Leeds supporters.
Graham's assistant David O'Leary has been put in charge of Leeds along with the coach Eddie Gray and they will select the side to face Leicester City this weekend.
In today's Daily Express, O'Leary confirmed his interest in the job: "I have worked with George as a player and as his assistant for a number years. But there comes a time to break out on your own and it is a dream of mine to be manager of a big club.
"I am not going to the directors with a begging bowl. If they dont't give me the job then so be it. But I am happy here.
"George was always going back and forth to London whereas my home is in Leeds and I want to stay here. The club knows that," said O'Leary.
However, the Leicester manager Martin O'Neill is known to enjoy significant support inside the Leeds boardroom and is among the early front-runners to fill the void created by Graham's departure.
