The magic hasn't quite happened for Venables and Brian Kidd (LaurenceGriffiths/GettyImages)

The former England coach has had an indifferent start after resuming his club football career at Elland Road following David O'Leary's sacking in the summer.

Defeat to Liverpool last week was United's fifth of the season, leading to the first signs of discontent among supporters.

With his side tenth in the table, Venables has admitted that qualification for Europe may be beyond him in his first season in charge.

'Everybody would love to be in Europe year in, year out,' he said. 'At the moment, the reality check is: maybe we can't. Hopefully we can, but some clubs have a better chance than others.

'I won't be shocked if the same three clubs are up at the top at the end of the season. The rest of us must do our damnedest to be up there with them.'

Leeds today face a tough trip to vastly-improved Middlesbrough, one of the teams which seem to have overtaken Leeds, who only two years ago reached the Champions League semi-finals.

But despite financial constraints facing the club, Venables is hopeful he will be able to invest in new players when the transfer window opens in January.

He continued: The squad needs strengthening to get where they want to be.

'This is a must for the club. Maybe it's a bit worse than we thought when I came in but things do change.

'Chairman Peter Ridsdale has shown he wants to spend the money. We've put a lot in the bank.