Simon Grayson: 'Leeds United wanted me back'

Simon Grayson has revealed that he turned down the opportunity to return as Leeds United manager this season.

The 45-year-old, who is currently in charge of Preston North End, spent four years at Leeds between 2008 and 2012, leading them from League One into the Championship in 2010 and a seventh-placed finish the following year.

Grayson says that he had talks with the Yorkshire side regarding a potential return to Elland Road.

"I was very successful at Leeds," he told the Daily Mirror. "I left when we were a few points away from the playoffs to get into the Premier League.

"I got them back into the Championship. I'd love to go back to Leeds one day if it was the right time. I was offered the Leeds job earlier this year and it was 50-50 whether I went. My head was telling me one thing, my heart another.

"I am pleased I turned it down. If we go up, it will be strange to go back to Elland Road as I was a Leeds fan as a kid and I haven't been back since I left."

Grayson's Preston will play Chesterfield in the League One playoffs after they narrowly missed out on automatic promotion to the MK Dons.