Terry Venables has ended doubts about his immediate future by saying he wants to remain as manager of Leeds United.
Venables, disturbed by last week's sale of defender Jonathan Woodgate to Newcastle United and striker Robbie Fowler to Manchester City, told his players yesterday that he had decided to stay at the cash-strapped premier league club.
"I called together the players and the backroom staff and told them I want to stay," the former England coach told newspapers today. "We have an important FA Cup tie [against Gillingham] on Tuesday and it's important that we prepare for that game, and for the rest of the season".
Venables had refused to commit himself to the club on Friday following the completion of Woodgate's transfer to premier league rivals Newcastle.
Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale had assured Venables that the club would not sell the England defender. England striker Fowler was transferred to Manchester City on Thursday. Venables had already lost midfielders Olivier Dacourt and Lee Bowyer during the transfer window.
Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Everton left Leeds down in 13th place in the premier league, well adrift of the battle for a UEFA Cup place.