but the Yorkshire club have gone for Neil Warnock.
The former QPR boss has agreed a deal with the Elland Road club which will take him up to the end of the 2012/13 season.
Warnock has previously taken both QPR and Sheffield United out of the Championship, something chairman Ken Bates will be hoping he can repeat with Leeds.
Wanrock: "I feel I have one big challenge left in me and believe Leeds is a club that should be in the Premier League. I want to be the man who is able to deliver this for a set of fans who never cease to amaze me with their numbers and their loyalty.
"Having met with Ken Bates it was an easy decision to take up the challenge and with his support, we share the same vision of getting Leeds United in the Premier League."
Bates: "We believe the appointment is arguably the most important we have made. The objective was to appoint a manager who had for a proven track record of getting teams promoted and in Neil we have a man whose record is second to none. We want to be in the Premier League and we will support (him) in the quest to get us there."
Leeds are currently 11th in the table and sit six points outside the play-off zone.