Steve Evans has insisted that he bears no ill will towards Leeds United or owner Massimo Cellino after he was sacked by the club on Tuesday.

The former Rotherham United boss was relieved of his duties after just eight months at the helm, leaving Cellino in search of his seventh manager in two years of ownership.

"In the last week or two it became obvious that I was not going to be around. I don't feel disrespected, I had a good working relationship with Mr Cellino," Evans told BBC Radio Leeds.

"The club secretary Stuart Hayton conveyed to me that my contract would not be extended beyond the end of the season and it was handled in a very professional phone call.

"I spoke to Massimo earlier in the summer but not in recent days or weeks. I certainly felt we had done enough to go forward but you don't make that decision as a manager. That lies with the owner and the board. I have to accept it, as much as I am saddened by it."

Since Evans's departure, ex-Swansea City manager Garry Monk has emerged as the favourite to take the reins at Elland Road.