July, 1974
During the previous seven years, Brian perpetually criticised Leeds and their manager Don Revie. ‘I didn’t like the way they played football,’ he said. When Revie won the League title for the second time in 1974 and became England manager, the Leeds board inexplicably chose Brian to replace him. Of competing against Revie, he admitted: ‘Only by doing something he hasn’t, can I exceed him. I’ve got to win the European Cup.’ What followed were rows, recriminations, only four League points from a possible 12 and, finally, the sack after only 44 days. Brian claimed the club had to pay him six-figure compensation. It changed the rest of his football life.