Leeds United are once again searching for a new manager after Garry Monk’s departure.
General view inside Elland Road
Leeds United today confirmed on their official website that manager Garry Monk has left the club having handed in his resignation.
Monk, 38, had taken the Leeds job last summer after the Whites picked the former Swansea boss as Steve Evans’ replacement, handing Monk a return to football in the process.
Monk looked to be on the verge of guiding Leeds to a play-off place after an initially slow start to life at Elland Road, but a late season collapse saw the Whites only finish in seventh place.
Ex-Leeds United manager Gary Monk
Having only penned a one-year deal upon his arrival, many fans were worried about Monk’s future at Elland Road – and whilst Leeds wanted to activate a one-year option on his deal, Monk shocked the world by resigning earlier today.
Just days into Andrea Radrizzani’s time as the sole owner of Leeds United, the Italian must now find yet another manager to take the reins at Elland Road – and here are some of the key names in the frame with bookmakers, as compiled by Oddschecker.
Former Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka
Aitor Karanka: 4/6
Spaniard Karanka has emerged as the early favourite for the job, having left Middlesbrough in March. The Spaniard, who was once Jose Mourinho’s assistant at Real Madrid, took Middlesbrough to the Championship play-off final in 2015, and went one better in 2016 by taking Boro back to the Premier League. His conservative tactics were found wanting in the top flight, but he has proven himself as a top Championship manager – and offs of 4/6 suggest a move to Elland Road could be imminent.
Claudio Ranieri: 5/1
If Radrizzani wants to bring in a fellow Italian, then Ranieri could be an option. The 65-year-old famously guided Leicester City to their famous Premier League title win last year, but was sacked less than 12 months later with the Foxes hovering around the relegation zone. Dropping into the Championship would be a surprise, but with odds of 5/1, he is currently one of the frontrunners for the Elland Road job.
Alan Pardew: 6/1
Out of work since losing his job with Crystal Palace in December 2016, Pardew may be looking for a return to management this summer. Previously with Newcastle and Southampton, Pardew has been a divisive figure at most clubs he has managed, and tends to start well with clubs before fading badly. It’s hard to imagine many Leeds fans would want Pardew to land the job, but he’s in the mix with bookmakers at 6/1.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
David Moyes: 9/1
Moyes oversaw Sunderland’s relegation from the Premier League this season, and handed in his resignation on Monday evening. Once linked with Leeds during Massimo Cellino’s reign, Moyes’ career is nosediving and has been ever since leaving Everton for Manchester United, and he would be treated in a similar way to Pardew; a big name, but not a popular choice. At 9/1, Moyes is currently in ‘dark horse’ territory.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink: 10/1
An Elland Road hero having hit 42 goals in 87 games for Leeds during the late 1990’s, Hasselbaink remains a popular figure in West Yorkshire. As a manager, Hasselbaink earned plaudits for his work with Burton Albion, but couldn’t replicate that with Queens Park Rangers, losing his job after less than a year at Loftus Road. Out of work since November, Hasselbaink is now 10/1 for the Leeds job in what would be a fascinating move.
Who would you like to see Leeds appoint as their new manager?
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