Leeds chairman to quit his post

Soccer: The Leeds United chairman Professor John McKenzie yesterday confirmed he will be stepping down from his post, a move that will be ratified at the a.g.m. next Tuesday.

McKenzie's departure reasserts the new chief executive Trevor Birch's control at Elland Road and, pointedly, in yesterday's statement from Leeds, the remaining board members distanced themselves from the McKenzie-inspired notion that he is standing down to pursue Chinese investment in the stricken club: "The board wishes to make it clear . . . media comments regarding the identity and status of any potential new investor is speculation."

It was fuelled by comments from McKenzie and his alleged "contacts" in the Far East. It is not the first time Leeds fans have been told to anticipate a saviour from afar and with Allan Leighton having left the board a fortnight ago to search for new investors Leeds are aware their credibility is fragile.

Nevertheless, McKenzie yesterday continued to signal that he was leaving so there would be no conflict of interest with any new consortium he can put together, though he added there had been "no substantive discussions with me" on that matter.

"We have cut £20 million from our costs on an annualised basis and are now beginning to trade viably. I have been fortunate to recruit in Neil Robson and, more recently, Trevor Birch . . . an outstanding management team. I have also been able to give a number of younger staff the chance to run parts of the business. They are responding very positively," said McKenzie

"It is also essential that we ensure not only that new funds are available but also that the club is subsequently only in the hands of owners and managers who care deeply about Leeds United and who can provide the fans with success.

"Consequently, I have decided that, to support the club and its fans in the best way I can, I shall not seek re-election to the plc board at the agm on December 23rd. Rather, I shall spend the next few critical weeks seeking to ensure the best possible levels of funding and the most appropriate form of ownership are secured to take this great club forward."

Meanwhile, Manchester United are to appoint a British government spin doctor as their new head of communications.

Phillip Townsend, a senior press officer at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, will replace the former Financial Times journalist Paddy Harveson after the latter's defection to Chelsea.

Townsend will have to deal with the repercussions of the Rio Ferdinand affair, the FA hearing into which begins on Thursday.

The Newcastle United defender Jonathan Woodgate may be out until February after he limped off at half-time against Tottenham on Saturday.

Woodgate has a torn hamstring and, although three to four weeks is regarded as the standard recovery period for such injuries, the centre-back has had an injury-interrupted season. If Newcastle do not overcome Southampton in the third round of the FA Cup on January 3rd, a realistic target for Woodgate's return would be the Premiership visit to Birmingham on January 31st.

Woodgate has started only eight of Newcastle's 24 fixtures this season and is now expected to miss the home game against his former club Leeds United on January 7th along with the trip to Old Trafford four days later.

With Titus Bramble suspended for Saturday's match at Charlton, one immediate effect of Woodgate's injury is a call-up for Steven Caldwell. The 23-year-old Scot was due to leave St James' Park having had complications over a new contract and there had been interest from four First Division clubs wanting him on loan but Newcastle will now hold on to Caldwell for as long as Woodgate is a doubt.

Francesco Totti's supposed move to Chelsea has been branded as "ridiculous" by his club Roma. Chelsea are believed to have made a £25 million offer for Totti but Roma have moved quickly to rubbish the reports.

"We've not been contacted by anyone, but if that offer was tabled then it would be ridiculous," said the Roma director Franco Baldini.

Totti said he has no intention of leaving the club he supported as a boy. "I have a contract here which doesn't expire until 2006 and I intend to respect it."