Middlesbrough boss spoke glowingly about Leeds United chief.
Former Leeds United manager Garry Monk
Garry Monk was unveiled as Middlesbrough manager yesterday, less than three weeks after quitting Leeds United.
Monk’s decision to leave Leeds stunned fans, and he attempted to explain his choice at his press conference.
Quoted by The Sun, Monk explained that after holding talks with Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani, he came to the conclusion his future did not lie at the club.
He said: “After the season I had I was expecting to go forward in that process and be at Leeds. But I had talks with the new ownership and there were things that didn’t tick boxes for me.
“New people came in and there was a new structure. It didn’t suit me.”
Garry Monk
Monk was alluding to the appointment of technical director Victor Orta, who had previously worked at Middlesbrough.
His comments differ a lot from his initial words after Radrizzani bought a 50 per cent stake in Leeds back in January.
Speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Monk spoke glowingly about the Italian.
Former Leeds United manager Garry Monk talks to his players
Monk said: “I think it is really positive news for the club. He clearly has the passion to take this club forward and that’s really good to hear.
We only met briefly, but he was very impressive. He speaks with good passion and I think his experience and also his contacts within this industry are key.
“You get the sense that he has come in to push this club forward with an ambitious approach in terms of trying to realise the full potential of this club which it has.
“I am looking forward to next week, sitting down with the two owners and seeing what their ambitions are to go forward and how they are approaching it. I am sure it will all be geared towards pushing this club forward.”
Who could have predicted at the time that Leeds would be moving forward with Monk in charge at Middlesbrough?
There was nothing in Monk’s comments which suggested at the time he was willing to walk away, although perhaps the first signs of this emerged weeks later.
Leeds did not invest in the transfer window, and while former owner Massimo Cellino should share 50 per cent of that blame, it was a missed opportunity for the club, who ended up missing out on the play-offs.
Former Leeds United manager Garry Monk
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