Ritchie Leaves Leeds Post

Last updated : 19 August 2003 By Kevin Markey
Ritchie,42, who had been in the job for 17 months was appointed by David O'Leary and was one of the few remaining key members of the former Leeds manager's backroom team remaining at the club.

He was handed the surprising news by Peter Reid who has yet to name a successor. Ritchie has been instrumental in bringing on players such as James Milner, Aaron Lennon and Martin Woods.

Last season chief coach Brian Kidd left as part of a cost-cutting exercise and assistant manager Eddie Gray was also sacked before being re-hired as an aide to chairman Professor John McKenzie.Reserve team coach Roy Aitken and chief scout Ian Broomfield joined O'Leary at Villa.

Reid has brought in Kevin Blackwell as head coach, Steve Agnew to take charge of the reserves and Adrian Heath as chief scout. Former Man Utd, Oldham and Brighton striker Ritchie played for Leeds from 1983 to 1987 and managed Oldham from 1998 to 2001.