Bates: Leeds played by the book

The former Whites defender tendered his resignation at Bloomfield Road on Tuesday, which was not accepted by the club, and was later announced as the new Leeds manager. Blackpool are unwilling to release Grayson from his contract, which has 18 months remaining, and are considering legal action against Leeds and their former boss.

But Bates told Yorkshire Radio: "We approached Blackpool with a view to speaking to Simon and they refused permission. That was the end of it, but they then told him they had an approach and he told them he wanted the job."

He added: "Then Blackpool put this in the public domain - we said nothing because that's how business should be conducted - but nevertheless because it was in the public domain we felt that we had the right to approach Blackpool again, which we did.

"Meanwhile, Simon saw their chairman and they had a disagreement because he felt he'd done a good job there, wanted this opportunity, and they were stood in his way. He then resigned.

"As a free agent, we then offered him the job at Leeds."

Bates is confident the 39-year-old is the right man to reignite Leeds' Coca-Cola League One promotion challenge following the sacking of Gary McAllister on Sunday.

"We're delighted to welcome Simon to the club," the chairman added. "I like him and he has a real personality, which is important.

"He's got a good track record, he knows our opponents, he knows the level we're at and he can get us out.

"He started his career here and he knows the club. He's a Yorkshireman as well and we have to have someone who is committed to living and working in this area."