Former Leeds boss comments on current prospects of Leeds United.
Former Leeds United boss Simon Grayson has told BBC Radio 5 Live that he is impressed with the progress his old club are making.
Grayson is currently the Preston North End manager and saw his side beaten 4-2 by Leeds on Boxing Day.
The Whites are fifth in the Championship table and dreaming of promotion realistically for the first time since Grayson was manager.
Preston manager Simon Grayson celebrates at full time
The former Leeds boss said that stability was a key part of this Leeds side’s success, and without mentioning him, praised Massimo Cellino for finally staying in the background.
Grayson said he heard Monk came close to losing his job early in the season, and is relieved the former Swansea man was kept on.
He said: “What’s happened now with Garry and why he’s successful is he’s more or less left alone to get on with things, and I’m sure, I heard it on the grapevine, that Garry wasn’t too far away from losing his job earlier in the season.
“If that had happened then Leeds wouldn’t be in the position that they are in now to move forward and thats always been a big issue with supporters and owner.
“They are looking quite solid and the biggest thing they have got going right now is the Elland Road is a real difficult place to go again for the opposition.”
Leeds United manager Garry Monk
As early on as August, Monk was coming under pressure due to a poor start, with The Mirror reporting Cellino was losing patience with the manager after just three games.
Leeds crucially went on to win their next game, away at Sheffield Wednesday, and have climbed up the league table ever since.
Recalling how close Cellino came to pulling the plug on Monk’s tenure is enough to make most Leeds fans wince, but the pressing long term concern is that the head coach gets offered a long term contract extension, currently only being on a one year deal.
Leeds United manager Garry Monk
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
