Leeds United are searching for a new manager following Garry Monk’s abrupt exit.
Former Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka
Leeds United could be closing in on a new manager following Garry Monk’s departure, with Aitor Karanka’s odds crashing again today.
The Whites were left stunned when Monk, 38, handed in his resignation last week despite the club’s attempts to tie him down to a new contract, with the former Swansea boss moving on after just one season in charge.
General view inside Elland Road
New outright owner Andrea Radrizzani now faces the task of appointing a new manager, and he did bring in one new face earlier today by bringing in Spaniard Victor Orta as the club’s new Director of Football.
Orta’s arrival pointed towards Aitor Karanka winning the race for the Leeds job, given that the two Spaniards worked closely together at Middlesbrough before losing their jobs – and a reunion could be on the cards.
Ex-Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka looks dejected
Bookmakers – as compiled by Oddschecker – now show Karanka to be the clear favourite for the Leeds role, with odds of just 3/10 available on him being appointed by Leeds as Monk’s replacement.
Karanka, 43, took Middlesbrough to the Championship play-off final in 2015 only to lose to Norwich City, but he did take Boro to the Premier League in 2016, meaning he has something of a track record of success in the Championship.
Aitor Karanka
The former Real Madrid man lost his job with Boro in March as the club hovered around the relegation zone, and his odds suggest that he could be closing in on the Leeds job.
Others in the race with bookmakers are Claudio Ranieri (5/2), Alan Pardew (10/1), Nigel Pearson (10/1) and Simon Grayson (12/1), meaning Karanka is the clear favourite – and bookmakers seemingly believe Karanka’s move to be a foregone conclusion.
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