Hart shrugs off speculation

Profile: The case for Paul Hart

Nottingham Forest boss Paul Hart has played down speculation linking him with the managerial vacancy at Leeds United.

Hart is being widely tipped to take over at Elland Road after Peter Reid was sacked on Monday and Eddie Gray was appointed as caretaker-manager.

But Hart has now distanced himself from the position and revealed he wants to concentrate on his job at the City Ground.

"The speculation is none of my doing and I honestly don't feel the need to be forever reacting to situations beyond my control," said Hart.

"It may be seen by some people as flattering to be linked with other clubs but it can also have a nuisance element to it.

Hoddle denies Forest link

"All I can say is that I have never been more committed to my job with Nottingham Forest and all that concerns me is our game against Wigan a week on Saturday," he told Forest's official website.

The former Leeds Academy coach is the leading contender for the job, and widespread newspaper reports claimed he had preliminary discussions with the club on Tuesday, though Hart was quick to deny talks had begun.

A Leeds official insisted the club will "take time to make the right appointment", a statement which may offer caretaker boss Eddie Gray a chance to stake his claim as permanent manager.

Forest indicated they would be reluctant to give Leeds permission to speak to Hart should there be an approach, with chairman Nigel Doughty desperate to hold on to his man.

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"I think I speak for everyone connected with the club in saying I would very much like Paul and his backroom team to stay on at the City Ground and continue the excellent job they have done in the last two-and-a-half years," Doughty told the club's official website.

Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock - also heavily linked with the post - told BBC Sport on Tuesday he did not want to speculate over his future.

"I have heard nothing at all," Warnock said.

"It is all speculation and you can't do anything about that can you?"

But Blades chairman Derek Dooley hinted the club would allow Warnock to leave if he was given the chance to join Leeds.

Dooley told BBC Radio Sheffield: "Reluctantly, yes. I'm hoping that's not going to come but I don't think you can stand in people's way."

Reid reveals regret

In the interim, former Leeds favourite Gray will take charge and admits he is relishing the challenge of hauling Leeds clear of the foot of the Premiership.

"I'm looking forward to it. Everyone knows the position the club are in and it's a difficult task," he told BBC Radio Five Live.

"If things go well you can never tell what's going to happen in the future but the most important thing at the present time is to get the club away from the bottom of the table.

"But anyone in football would obviously be interested in the Leeds job."

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Leeds chief executive Trevor Birch reiterated Leeds' intent to take their time before making a new appointment.

"The important thing for Leeds is to appoint the right person however long that takes," Birch told the club's website.

"It will take time because it is a crucial appointment at a crucial time for this club."

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