Leeds United have appointed Gary McAllister as their new manager following Dennis Wise's sudden departure to Newcastle.
McAllister, 43, has been out of work since quitting as manager of Coventry City in 2003 to look after his wife, who had been diagnosed with breast cancer.
Denise McAllister passed away in March 2006 after a six-year battle with the disease.
The former Leeds captain made 295 appearances for the club between 1990 and 1996, during which time he won the then First Division title under manager Howard Wilkinson in 1992.
And, McAllister also had a distinguished playing career at Leicester City, Coventry and Liverpool, while also representing Scotland on 57 occasions.
Earlier, Leeds announced that Dave Bassett had decided to quit. Bassett, who joined the League One club as Wise's assistant following Gus Poyet's exit to Spurs, was set to take charge of the League One side's trip to Southend tonight.
However, Leeds confirmed that technical director Gwyn Williams will oversee the team at Roots Hall following Bassett's sudden departure.
Bassett's decision to step down comes as Wise begins in his new role of executive director at Newcastle.
Wise, 41, has been added to Kevin Keegan's backroom staff along with Tony Jimenez, who joins as vice-president and technical co-ordinator Jeff Vetere.
Bassett, who has been in charge at eight different clubs during a 26-year managerial career, answered Wise's SOS after Poyet become Juande Ramos' right-hand man at White Hart Lane.
He did not prove a popular figure among the fans, however, and many blamed his arrival for their recent poor form.
The club have slipped from second to fifth in the table as they chase automatic promotion back to the Championship.
Leeds have lost five of their last 16 league games with Bassett alongside Wise in the dug-out and were unbeaten in 12 prior to his arrival.
They could return to second spot with victory over play-off chasing Southend tonight.
Great news for Gary to be back involved in football, I would have loved him to of had some role at Liverpool, maybe there is still time if he can prove himself at Leeds.
Always be a Legend as far as I am concerned his Derby winner secured that if nothing else
Good Luck to him
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