Really it was a question of "when" rather than "if", in the early hours of the morning it was confirmed that Brian McDermott had left Leeds "by mutual consent".

Leeds owner Massimo Cellino issued a statement around midnight: "Brian is a great manager and a great guy. He has been unfortunate to work in such difficult circumstances. I did not fully understand the mess he had to work in, and the broken promises he had to deal with, until I have got involved trying to turn Leeds around.

"He has been a gentleman to deal with in our discussions and has been very understanding of my wish to implement a new structure. His main concern and priority at all times has been the welfare and protection of Leeds United. I wish him well for the future where I am sure he will continue to have more success and thank him for his efforts in being a stabilising and unifying figure behind the scenes in very difficult circumstances.

"His honest efforts to guide us to the safety of mid-table when faced with many difficulties is appreciated by us all. He will always be a friend of Leeds United."

Brian McDermott said in the jointly released: "It has been my great privilege to manage this great club and I have enjoyed the challenge immensely.

"However it is clear that Massimo wishes to implement a new structure and feels he will work more successfully for Leeds with a coach rather than a manager. I respect that Massimo must be fully supported in putting together his vision for the club so he can bring us the success we all want. It is my belief that when truly United we are stronger. Massimo wants to bring a new energy to the club so that we can return to where we belong as a healthy football club.

"To my players for their efforts I say a big thank-you. To all the staff and especially my great assistant manager Nigel Gibbs and my great friend Patrick Dolan I am especially grateful for their support.

"Finally to the incredible force that is the Leeds United supporters, I offer my heartfelt thanks. Your support of me and the players was always an inspiration and I urge everyone to get behind the team and the new owner next season to get us back to where we need to be, fighting for trophies and competing at the top-table of English and European football.

"It won't be easy, but Marching On Together we can get there.

"I wish Massimo and all my friends at Elland Road every success in the future."

However is it a case of painted-on smiles, as McDermott leaves Leeds for the second time in four months?

On January 31st, dubbed "mad Friday" Cellino sacked McDermott without authority, as his takeover of the club had not been completed.

The following day, in McDermott's absence, Leeds routed local rivals Huddersfield 5-1 and the fans were vocal in their support of McDernott, who returned to work the following Monday. However Leeds would win just four times between his second coming and the end of the season finishing 15th.

At the beginning of May, Cellino appeared to aim a thinly veiled shot at McDermott, stating that Leeds didn't have a manager and appeared to be critical of McDermott, the players and staff from going on holiday. It later emerged that McDermott had gone to the south of England to visit his ill mother and the tense stand-off between the Leeds manager and his employer was underlined by reports that they were communicating by letter only.

The appointment of Benito Carbone as a consultant was another sign that McDermott was losing grip on his diminishing power. The Thorp Arch training complex was closed in a cost cutting measure and decisions over the future of those players who were out of contract appeared to not involve McDermott's input.

Now surely the hugely ambitious Carbone will be a contender for McDermott's old job? McDermott leaves Leeds having won 21 games out of 55, drawn 9 and lost 25 giving him a win ratio of 38%.

Photo: Action Images

Bluesman1 added 10:11 - May 31 BM took the most difficult job in football. All of his efforts were frustrated bt circumstances, finance and very poor directorship by the board. Brian Mc Dermott truly is a gentleman and it is only through his sterling efforts that we were ever in contention. He kept the ship steady throughout the most terrible storms and kept us in the Championship. We should be truly grateful to Brian as his effort has been selfless. I still believe that he is going to be a great loss to us. OK, everything is changing, hopefully it will be for the better in time, but Brian has been our onlyl anchor and the ONE person who we could trust. A very good guy. Who was it that said life just isn't fair?

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Bluesman1 added 10:26 - May 31 Rhetorically, how much more uncertainty can the Leeds fans actually take. This is all very worrying. Next season, new owner, new manager, new team. That is hell of a lot of change in one go! Uncertain times!
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