Ian Ormondroyd has backed old pal Simon Grayson to handle the pressure of the Leeds hot-seat.

Grayson yesterday quit Blackpool to take over at Elland Road and he faces a baptism of fire at home to League One leaders Leicester on Boxing Day.

The 39-year-old, who lives near Skipton, was targeted following Gary McAllister’s sacking after only 11 months in the job.

Leeds have lost five games in a row, including an FA Cup humiliation at Histon, and Grayson will be expected to deliver from the off.

But former team-mate Ormondroyd believes he has the ideal personality not to get caught up by the hype.

“He is a very down-to-earth lad and is probably one of the best young managers in the country,” said City’s community foundation officer, who played alongside Grayson for Leicester.

“Simon was always a hard-working player and he has taken that into management. I’m pleased to see him doing well.

“I was a bit surprised at the time when he got the Blackpool job but he did excellently there. He won promotion in the play-offs and then consolidated them in the Championship.

“For a small club the size of Blackpool, that is a great achievement and maybe Simon has thought that he’s taken them as far as he can.

“He’s stepping down a division but it’s obviously a much bigger club. There will be a lot of pressure but Simon will know about that.

“He still lives in the area and his family are from north Yorkshire, so he knows what a big job it will be.”

The pair played in the same team for three years at Filbert Street – and combined in the build-up to the goal that won Leicester promotion to the Premier League in the 1994 play-off final against Derby.

Ormondroyd said: “He crossed it for my header, which the keeper saved really well before Steve Walsh tapped it in.

“We were only talking about it recently at a players’ reunion at Leicester. Simon goes to a lot of things like that and hasn’t changed as a person.”

Grayson began his 17-year playing career with Leeds, making two senior appearances, before joining Leicester in 1992.

He also had a brief spell on loan with City under Nicky Law in 2002.

Grayson, who becomes the ninth manager at Elland Road in the last ten years, said: “It’s a massive club and close to my heart, having played here before and supporting the club.”