League Managers’ Association chief Barnwell said in The Sun: “If the plc board can’t make that decision for themselves then maybe they should have invited the fans into the boardroom to choose the manager in the first place.
“I have no idea why the Leeds chairman even had to ask the question. Peter Reid was brought in at the end of last season to keep the club in the Premier League and he received full marks for doing that.
“Just a very short period into the new season, having been forced to sell quality players, they are asking the fans if he should be sacked.
“I can’t think of any other industry where that could happen. In the best run football clubs, managers manage, directors direct and supporters support.
“When the lines become blurred, like they are at Leeds, you have problems.
“It seems that plc boards are putting managers into impossible situations.
“I haven’t seen a plc man score a goal yet we believe they are bad for football.
“It’s an extremely uncomfortable situation for Peter Reid to be put into when his future is under such intense public scrutiny.
“Sacking another manager would hardly have helped their finances but clubs don’t seem to realise that.
“It’s seen as an easy solution but it’s usually costly and senseless.”