LUFC Nostalgia: Leeds Sack Howard Wilkinson

Question, have you ever seen a football manager attend a press conference to announce his sacking?

Well that's what happened in September of 1996 when Howard Wilkinson joined his Leeds United chairman Bill Fotherby at Elland Road to break the news of his sacking to the media.  His job was always in jeopardy after previous Leeds chairman Leslie Silver sold his shares to the 'Caspian Group' consortium.  The new era started in the summer which saw the departures of club legends Gary McAllister & Gary Speed.  The owners backed Wilkinson in the transfer market with the signings of Lee Sharpe, Nigel Martyn, Lee Bowyer & Ian Rush but George Graham being the next Leeds United was the worst kept secret in football.  The rumour was Graham lived in the same apartment block with 'Caspian Group' non-executive director Richard Thompson.  Wilkinson knew he was going to get the sack and knew that Graham was lined-up to replace him.  So why did Wilkinson attended the press conference...he was there to say goodbye!