Venables a positive move for Ferdinand

Appointing Terry Venables as Leeds United manager is a positive step in the premier league club's bid to keep England defender Rio Ferdinand, club chairman Peter Ridsdale said.

Leeds appointed 59-year-old Venables on Monday to take over from David O'Leary, who was sacked by the club last month.

After meeting Ferdinand's agent on Monday, Ridsdale said there were no signs the defender, who has been linked with a 35-million-pound ($54 million) move to Manchester United, wanted to leave Leeds.

"I don't think Terry's appointment has tipped the balance because it was already in our favour," Ridsdale was quoted as saying on the club's website on Tuesday.

"Rio is a Leeds United player who is not for sale.

"This was simply the first opportunity I have had to discuss Rio with his agent since the speculation began.

"I won't know Rio's views until I have spoken to him personally but his agent was extremely complimentary about Terry Venables and also said he understood that Rio would be impressed," Ridsdale said.

Venables, who was England manager in the mid-90s and has been in charge at Barcelona, Tottenham Hotspur and Middlesbrough, signed a two-year contract with Leeds.