LEEDS United have confirmed the appointment of former Huddersfield Town Neil Warnock as manager.

The widely-travelled 63-year-old, who was linked with a move back to Town after Lee Clark's sacking, has agreed a contract which commits him to the Elland Road club until the end of next season.

Leeds chairman Ken Bates said: "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 Neil in the quest to get us there."

NEIL WARNOCK FACTFILE

1948: Born Sheffield, December 1.

Warnock spent an 11-year career in the lower leagues where he played for Chesterfield, Rotherham, Hartlepool, Scunthorpe, Aldershot, Barnsley, York and Crewe.

1981: Enters management with Northern Premier League side Burton.

1985: Moves on to Scarborough who secure promotion into the Football League.

1989: Joins Notts County and guides them from the old Third Division to the First Division in successive seasons.

1993: Joins Huddersfield.

1995: Wins fourth promotion in nine seasons, taking the Terriers into the First Division.

1996: Becomes manager of Plymouth and wins promotion via the play-offs.

1997: Takes over at Oldham in March but spends just 15 months in charge and suffers relegation.

1998: Appointed Bury boss in succession to Stan Ternent but they are relegated and he leaves after 18 months.

1999: December 2 - Takes up the manager’s position at Sheffield United after Adrian Heath steps down at Bramall Lane.

2002: April 5 - the Football Association issue six charges relating to incidents during the Sheffield United match against West Brom. Warnock charged with improper conduct after the game is abandoned with the Blades reduced to six men and the Baggies leading 3-0 in ’the Battle of Bramall Lane’.