Garry Monk is keen to create more leaders during his time at Leeds United.
Leeds manager Garry Monk
Leeds United manager Garry Monk has told The Sun that he wants to create more leaders at Elland Road, as he doesn’t think young players take enough responsibility.
Leeds lost for the second time in their last three matches as they were beaten 1-0 away at Derby County on Saturday afternoon, in a game which the Whites may have felt they deserved something out of having seen Kyle Bartley and Marcus Antonsson hit the woodwork.
The attention now turns to Tuesday’s clash with Wigan Athletic at Elland Road, where Leeds will be hoping to get back to winning ways quickly.
Leeds United manager Garry Monk
Ahead of that game, manager Monk has been speaking to The Sun about his coaching philosophy, and his desire to develop young players during his time at Elland Road.
Leeds have a long history of producing young players through their youth setup, with Premier League stars like James Milner, Fabian Delph and Aaron Lennon coming up through the ranks, as well as recently-sold youngsters Sam Byram (West Ham) and Lewis Cook (Bournemouth).
Leeds manager Garry Monk
That meshes well with what Monk wants to do, as he told The Sun that he doesn’t think clubs are producing leaders anymore – and that’s just what he wants to do at Leeds.
Monk stated that the academy process – a far cry from how Monk entered the game as a player – has led to young players not taking enough responsibility on the pitch, which is something he doesn’t want to happen at Elland Road.
Monk criticised the culture of young players living a life of luxury without having proven themselves in the first team, adding that ‘real players’ aren’t being produced anymore.
Leeds United manager Garry Monk
“I don’t think in football we make leaders anymore. What I’m trying to do, along with the football, is create some leaders,” said Monk. “Because of the academy process and probably society in general, young players are given way too much too soon. They don’t earn it. They’ve not had the right to be where they are. And when you do that, no one takes responsibility.”
“You’re breeding an era of players — or boys — who have no idea what responsibility is. I’ve seen so many young players now who haven’t even kicked a ball in the first team who have property portfolios, who drive around in nice cars. That’s not real football. We’re not making real players,” he added.
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