KEN BATES'S Chelsea connection was very much in evidence last night as the race to become Kevin Blackwell's successor at Leeds United got underway.
The 47-year-old was sacked after a dreadful run of results which has left United occupying their lowest league position since the early days of Don Revie's reign in the Sixties.
Bates flew into Leeds from his Monaco base yesterday morning to deliver the news to Blackwell who ironically had watched his side end a three-game losing run less than 24 hours earlier with a 3-1 victory over Barnet in the Carling Cup.
The search has now begun for United's 22nd post-war manager and already Dennis Wise has emerged as a strong possible contender as has Claudio Ranieri.
Wise, who has steered Swindon Town to second place in League Two this season, is a close personal friend of Bates with the Leeds chairman being godfather to one of his children.
Sources in Swindon also suggest a potential power struggle within the boardroom at the County Ground could make Wise look favourably on any interest from Leeds.
Ranieri, meanwhile, has been spotted at a United game this season when Blackwell's side drew 2-2 at QPR in the opening week.
Both Wise and Ranieri have strong links with Bates from his 21-year reign at Stamford Bridge, while another man with Chelsea connections who is fancied in the early betting from SkyBet is former England manager Glenn Hoddle.
Alan Curbishley is priced at the shortest odds and would prove a popular choice among Elland Road supporters, though the former Charlton manager is believed to be interesting West Brom as the Midlands club search for Bryan Robson's successor.
Others strongly linked with the Elland Road vacancy include Luton manager Mike Newell and Northern Ireland chief Lawrie Sanchez with speculation in Belfast suggesting the latter would be interested in a return to club management.
Blackwell's sacking comes less than four months after he led United out at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium for the Championship play-off final.
A demoralising 3-0 defeat to Watford proved to be the beginning of the end for him, however, with fans accusing him of negative tactics by playing Rob Hulse as a lone striker.
During the summer, Blackwell added to his squad with Kevin Nicholls, Ian Westlake, Seb Carole, Jonathan Douglas and David Livermore all moving to Elland Road.
Bizarrely, the latter lasted just 13 days before joining Hull City and the general unease among supporters was only increased by United's poor start, the weekend defeat at Coventry leaving Blackwell's side second bottom of the Championship.
The future remains uncertain for the erstwhile manager, who is believed to have rebuffed interest from Nottingham Forest during the close season, but Blackwell's former mentor, Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock, believes he will soon bounce back from the disappointment.
Warnock said: "I am saddened to hear the news but I think Kevin can leave Leeds with his head held high. He took charge at a very critical time and stabilised the situation under difficult circumstances.
"He will bounce back and will be a better manager for what he has gone through. He is young and he will have learned from his mistakes."
Warnock was deeply hurt when Blackwell walked out of Bramall Lane three summers ago to become Peter Reid's assistant at the then Premiership club.
The Blades manager said: "I was upset at the time but it was something Kevin felt he had to do and I don't hold anything against him now. In many respects, it drove me on and made me even more determined to get my club into the Premiership."
The pair spent more than a decade working together before parting company after the Blades had suffered defeat in the 2003 First Division play-off final against Wolves.

WHAT ARE THE ODDS?

Prices for leading contenders, courtesy of SkyBet.com
5-2 Alan Curbishley, 3-1 Glenn Hoddle, 7-2 Dennis Wise,
6-1 Claudio Ranieri, 14-1 Lawrie Sanchez, 16-1 Dave Penney, 20-1 Bryan Robson, John Carver, Mike Newell.
Others include: 33-1 Joe Royle, Sam Allardyce. 40-1 Paul Sturrock. 50-1 George Graham. 66-1 David O'Leary. 80-1 Gary McAllister. 100-1 Andy Ritchie, Gordon Strachan.

Source: Yorkshire Post