LEEDS UNITED are facing new uncertainty following reports that manager Peter Reid is preparing to resign today. After a week of turbulence at Elland Road, Reid was reported to be considering his position overnight despite his team’s victory over Blackburn.

Speculation increased after Reid failed to show for his usual post-match press conference and comments from his assistant manager Kevin Blackwell suggested he could be about to quit.

The Leeds chairman, John McKenzie, who abandoned plans to sack Reid after consulting fans on Thursday, sought reassurances from his manager following yesterday’s match and said he was confident he would not resign. “I cannot tell you what is in Peter’s mind,” he said. “But I spoke to him after the game and he was in good form and talked about things coming up this week. I put the rumour to him and he laughed and I certainly didn’t get the impression he was about to resign.”

Were Reid to quit it would be a costly decision as he would not be able to claim the remainder of his one-year contract, thought to be worth £1m.

Two first-half Seth Johnson goals helped lift the gloom which has accompanied the club’s worst start to a campaign since the 1981-82 season. It was that dismal start which prompted McKenzie to discuss Reid’s position with plc deputy chairman Allan Leighton. Hours later, in Halifax, he met Reid, seemingly to discuss a pay-off on a contract which expires at the end of this season. Later still, McKenzie met supporters’ groups, before sleeping upon his decision. The following morning, the manager’s restless slumbers were disturbed by a 7.30am telephone call during which McKenzie informed Reid the job was still his.

In the City, Leeds’ share price slumped to under three pence, and the financial figures due before the end of the month are expected to show few inroads into the club’s £78.9m debt. As fans milled around Elland Road’s statue of Billy Bremner, nobody was purchasing a “Super Leeds” flag and the mood was desultory.

The Reid farrago is the latest twist in the cautionary tale of a club which, more than any other, symbolises the legacy of misplaced hubris. Having reached the last four of the European Cup in 2001, Leeds appeared to be the future. In Peter Ridsdale they had a chairman who was a fan daring to bankroll the dream; in David O’Leary a manager destined for greatness and in Harry Kewell, Rio Ferdinand, Jonathan Woodgate and Lee Bowyer gifted young players. Not to mention the requisite reconditioned stadium and a huge, ferocious support.

Since then, Leeds have failed to reach the Champions League and stumbled in two uninspiring Uefa Cup tilts. Assuming Champions League booty, they had purchased such fringe players as Nick Barmby and Johnson with generous contracts following profligate initial outlay. Bowyer and Woodgate’s trial cast a dark, grubby spell over Elland Road, O’Leary was dismissed and when Terry Venables took over, prize assets had been auctioned off and Ridsdale was unveiled as fool as much as fan.

Yesterday, as behoved a man with his future to contemplate, Reid spent the 90 minutes pacing around his technical area, tie flapping in the stiff breeze, hands firmly thrust into his pockets. Leeds began as if ignited by the fire from Reid’s belly. In search of his 50th Leeds goal, Alan Smith was twice thwarted by wayward finishing before Johnson put them ahead. Mark Viduka, brimming with both menace and aptitude, saw his gentle, low shot fumbled by Brad Friedel and Johnson tapped home.

“Reidy, Reidy,” the home support sang. His acknowledging wave was muted. There were still 78 minutes remaining. When Johnson scored again after 27 minutes, Reid’s wave was marginally more expansive, but he was rarely lauded again. Jermaine Pennant’s headed cross was helped along by Batty. Johnson, unmarked at the back post, swept it home in style.

For Blackburn, Andy Cole unluckily hit Robinson’s post moments after Johnson’s second. “If that had gone in,” said Rovers manager Graeme Souness, “they would have been nervous but it would have been difficult for whoever played Leeds today.”

Despite enjoying the bulk of possession, Rovers barely tested Robinson until Dino Baggio headed in Emerton’s cross in the 86th minute. Tension coursed through Elland Road, Reid’s hands went deeper still into his pockets and only Gary Kelly’s desperate hack off the line meant three points went to Leeds.

“The players played for Peter,” concluded Blackwell. “He’s ever so proud of them. We know the club has not been run right this week, but it turned out great.”

What now for Leeds and Reid, who Souness described as “a man, a friend of mine and someone you’d want with you in a difficult situation”? For the manager, the next move is his.

Substitutes: Leeds: Pennant (Sakho 87min), Viduka (Bridges 67min)

Blackburn: Reid (Baggio 65min), Tugay (Grabbi 74min), Flitcroft (Ferguson 45min)

Bookings: Johnson 58, Gresko 77, Matteo 80, Robinson 90

Referee: U Rennie

Attendance: 35,039

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