Simon Grayson's defection from Blackpool to Leeds was shrouded in acrimony today as the Championship outfit threatened legal action against him and his new employers. Grayson, 39, was announced as the new Leeds manager after Gary McAllister was axed on Sunday.
Yet Grayson's move across the Pennines to his native Yorkshire and to Elland Road — where he began his playing career — has been met with a furious response from Blackpool.
They refused his resignation and are unwilling to release him from his contract, which has 18 months remaining.
Talks about compensation are believed to be still ongoing but Blackpool said in a statement: "Blackpool FC can confirm that Simon Grayson tendered his resignation at 8.30am on Tuesday morning.
"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."
Nevertheless, Grayson becomes the ninth manager at Elland Road in the last 10 years after he built up an impressive cv and reputation at Blackpool.
He enjoyed a six-year stint at Bloomfield Road, first as a player then as manager, during which he guided the club to promotion to the Championship in May 2007 before staving off the threat of relegation last term.
Grayson's brief at Leeds is to repeat that feat with the fallen Yorkshire giants after their recent slump raised fears of failing to even make the play-offs.
Grayson's first game in charge will be the visit of former club and current League One leaders Leicester — with whom he won the League Cup in 1997 — on Friday.
