David O'Leary yesterday took a step back from the pressures of being Leeds United manager with the appointment of Brian Kidd as head coach 24 hours ahead of today's lunchtime encounter with Manchester United.
"I've never had a first-team coach before," O'Leary said. "I've done all the coaching and now with Brian it will give me a break because this job is a lot of hard work. My day is 24 hours - now it might come down to 23."
Kidd, who was youth-development coach at Elland Road, said: "I am looking forward to working with the outstanding group of players we have here."
Paul Gascoigne returns his battered and bruised body to the front line this afternoon. The former England midfielder is expected to be on the substitutes' bench as Everton's fight for Premiership survival continues with a home date with Newcastle United.
West Ham hope to complete the signing of the Everton midfielder Stephen Hughes in time to give him his debut in Wednesday's London derby against Chelsea.
Crystal Palace have signed Arsenal's Matthew Upson (21), and Ipswich's Slovenian international full-back Amir Karic on a month's loan. Both are included in the squad to play Preston North End at Selhurst Park this afternoon.
Newcastle's manager Bobby Robson believes Kieron Dyer could be out for up to five months. The 22-year-old will undergo the first of two operations on his shin problem today.
Internazionale will have to play their next two European home games away from the San Siro after UEFA punished them for crowd trouble which halted play five minutes before the end of their 2-0 defeat by Alaves.
St Etienne have had a sevenpoint deduction reimposed by the federal appeals commission of the French League for their role in the false passports affair.
Former Manchester United striker Colin Webster, a member of the legendary Busby Babes, died yesterday of lung cancer aged 68. Webster only avoided the Munich air disaster because he had flu and was not selected for the trip to Belgrade.
Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has urged Neil Lennon not to make any hasty decision over his international career.
The Northern Ireland midfielder was booed by a smallminded minority during the international against Norway in Belfast on Wednesday.
"I have spoken to him very briefly this morning and obviously he is very disappointed, as you naturally would be," said O'Neill.
Celtic today unveiled Wal-Mart executive director Ian McLeod as their new chief executive. The 42year-old was executive director and chief merchandising officer for supermarket chain Wal-Mart in Germany.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger yesterday vowed to stay at Highbury, dismissing reports that he plans to take over at Spanish giants Barcelona.
West Ham veteran Stuart Pearce has been voted Carling Player of the Month for February, making him the first person to win both the Carling Player and Manager of the Month awards.
