From The Observer:
Steve McClaren will accept the post of Leeds United manager this week if, as expected, he is offered the chance to take over from the sacked David O'Leary.
The England national team assistant coach, who has also managed Middlesbrough for the past year, has emerged as the man Peter Ridsdale, the Leeds chairman, wants to revive his club's flagging fortunes and precarious financial position.
Contrary to common belief, McClaren was already established as a leading contender for the job before the announcement by Celtic's Martin O'Neill on Friday that he would be staying with the Glasgow club to see out the final year of his contract.
Leeds are expected to make the first formal move this week when they ask for permission to approach McClaren, something Middlesbrough will probably resist initially before reluctantly allowing him to talk. McClaren arrived at the Riverside last summer believing he was taking control of a cash-rich club, a state of affairs that rapidly changed once the season started and he was instructed to trim the wage bill by £7 million. Not only did McClaren achieve that goal, he also led the club to an FA Cup semi-final and safety in the Premiership.
It is unlikely McClaren would retain the services of coach Brian Kidd, whom he replaced as Sir Alex Ferguson's assistant, or long-serving assistant manager Eddie Gray.