Dacourt set for showdown talks

Last updated : 10 December 2002 By The Gas Man
The Frenchman has been linked with a move to Italy since his exclusion from manager Terry Venables' first-team plans.

"If Venables remains in charge, it looks like Olivier will have to leave," said Dacourt's agent Bruno Satin.

"But who knows how long Venables will be in charge? Satin told the Daily Mail newspaper.

Dacourt is also furious over comments made by Venables in his Sunday newspaper column - where the Leeds manager said he would be happy to personally drive Dacourt to an Italian club if the Frenchman secured a move to Serie A during January's transfer window.

"It hurts him when the team are doing badly and he feels insulted by what Venables said," said Satin.

"After losing 1-0 at Fulham, it strikes me Venables was looking for a convenient way of deflecting criticism."