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’.

2002: May 2 - Warnock cleared but found guilty of misconduct in relation to the fourth official during the West Brom game. Handed a reprimand and a £300 fine.

2003: January - Takes United to semi-finals of the League Cup before losing 3-2 on aggregate to Liverpool.

April 13 - Warnock’s team lose 1-0 to Arsenal in FA Cup semi-final.

May 26: Lose to Wolves in the play-off final at Millennium Stadium. Warnock banished from touchline after confronting referee Steve Bennett in players’ tunnel at half-time.

2005: December 1 - Warnock turns down a move to Portsmouth to continue as Blades boss.

2006: April 15 - Following the Blades’ win at Cardiff the previous night, Leeds’ inability to beat champions Reading at Elland Road confirms their Yorkshire rivals’ automatic promotion to the Premiership.

April 18 - Sent to the stands by referee Graham Poll during the 1-1 draw with Leeds at Bramall Lane following an altercation with Leeds boss Kevin Blackwell.

May 18 - Given a six-match touchline ban, four of which were suspended, and a £1,000 fine following the incident against Leeds at Bramall Lane.

August 19 - Oversees his first game as a Premier League manager, a 1-1 draw with Liverpool at Bramall Lane.

September 22 - Takes charge of his 1,000th game as a manager when the Blades lose 3-0 against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

2007: May 11 - Announces he has turned down a new two-year contract offer.

May 13 - United are relegated by one goal on goal difference following a 2-1 defeat by Wigan and West Ham’s 1-0 win at Manchester United.

May 16 - Leaves United.

October 11 - Unveiled as new Crystal Palace manager.

2008: May - Leads Palace to the Championship play-offs where they are beaten in the semi-finals by Bristol City.

2010: January 28 - Palace are deducted 10 points by the Football League for going into administration.

March 1 - Appointed manager of QPR on a three-and-half-year contract after a compensation package was agreed with Palace.

2011: May - Secures promotion to the Premier League after QPR win the Championship.

August - Malaysian business tycoon Tony Fernandes completes his takeover of QPR.

2012: January 8 - Sacked as manager of QPR.

February 18 - Confirmed as the new manager of Leeds.