Mirror - The Portuguese who worked under Alex Ferguson for years at the Elland Road side's bitter rivals is now available after leading Iran at the World Cup finals in Brazil.

Carlos Queiroz has emerged as a shock contender to take over as Leeds manager.

Alex Ferguson’s former No2 at Manchester United is being eyed-up as a replacement for Dave Hockaday, who was fired after just six games at the the Elland Road helm last month.

Queiroz, 61, has put himself in the frame to become the Yorkshire side’s ninth boss in 10 years since tumbling out of the Premier League after revealing he is keen to return to club management.

The Portuguese, who spent five years in two spells at Old Trafford as Fergie's trusted assistant, has been Iran coach for the last three years and led them to the World Cup Finals earlier this summer.

He was expected to sign a new deal, but is now considering his options.

Queiroz, who has also managed Real Madrid, Portugal and South Africa, is on Leeds owner Masimo Cellino’s radar after favourite Steve Clarke ruled himself out of the running to succeed the ill-fated Hockaday.

And, following Preston chief Simon Grayson’s decision to reject a return to Elland Road, it looks like being a straight fight between Queiroz and Leeds' academy side's manager Neil Redfearn to take on the task of reviving the Championship outfit’s fortunes.

Redfearn, currently in caretaker charge, is well liked by Cellino, who said the former Barnsley and Charlton midfielder got the team playing in “a beautiful way” in last Saturday’s 1-0 win over fellow strugglers Bolton.

A source confirmed: ”Neil is really rated by the owner, who considers him a much more talented coach than some of those who have put themselves in for the job. Neil is a serious candidate.”

Leeds, meanwhile, have joined Championship rivals Wolves and Middlesbrough in the race to sign Sunderland striker Danny Graham on a season-long loan.

The Whites are short of firepower after selling Ross McCormack and Matt Smith to Fulham this summer and losing Souleymane Doukara to an ankle injury for six weeks.