The future of Leeds United manager Terry Venables looks in doubt following reports that the club have agreed to sell Jonathan Woodgate to Newcastle United.
The cash-strapped Leeds board are reported to have accepted a œ10 million bid for Woodgate, a player Venables is desperate to keep at the club. Any sale would certanly place Venables in an invidious position and the speculation in England is that he will walk away from the club.
The only thing possibly preventing Venables from walking away from Elland Road is the issue of compensation. The former England coach would be reluctant to leave the club without a pay-off and may decide to remain at the club regardless of the deteriorating situation.
News of a Newcastle bid for Robson was confiirmed by Magpies boss Bobby Robson.
“A substantial new bid has been made for Woodgate, and it is in the hands of the Leeds board,” confirmed Robson after his side’s 1-0 win against Tottenham on Wednesday.
Should Woodgate leave Leeds, he will continue the player exodus that has alreadyseen Rio Ferdinand, Lee Bowyer, Oliver Dacourt and Robbie Fowler quit the club since Venables was appointed manager in the summer.
