Poyet exit talk intensifies
27 Oct 2007 - 09:27:05
Leeds United have revealed that Gus Poyet will not attend their club's League One encounter with Millwall on Saturday as rumours persist that the former Uruguay international is set to be handed a coaching role at Tottenham.
A brief statement on United's official website read: "We've agreed that in the best interests of the team, Gus will not be in attendance at Elland Road for tomorrow's fixture against Millwall to allow the players to fully focus on the game without any distractions.
"The club captain, Alan Thompson, who is currently injured, will assist manager Dennis Wise from the bench at tomorrow's match."
The 39-year-old Poyet made 100 appearances for Spurs after joining the club from Chelsea in 2001 and has been Dennis Wise's assistant at Leeds United since last October.
Earlier on Friday, a statement on United official website read: "Despite the widespread speculation that emerged last night linking Gus Poyet with a potential role at Tottenham Hotspur within a new management team following the departure of Martin Jol, Leeds United can officially confirm that we have neither received an approach from Tottenham for Poyet nor a request from him to be released from his contract with Leeds.
"Any approach from Tottenham for our assistant manager would not be welcome."
Reports have linked Poyet with a coaching role at White Hart Lane while current Sevilla coach Juande Ramos is the favourite to be Martin Jol's eventual successor.