Leeds United are once again searching for a new manager after Garry Monk’s departure.
Ex-Leeds United manager Gary Monk applauds fans
Leeds United today confirmed that manager Garry Monk has left the club having surprisingly 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.
General view inside Elland Road
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 Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri
Aitor Karanka: Evens
The favourite ever since Monk’s departure was confirmed, Spaniard Karanka is still the frontrunner this evening. Karanka, 43, left Middlesbrough in March with the club hovering above the relegation zone, and he may be looking for a return to football this summer. Currently Evens for the Leeds job, Karanka took Boro to the Championship play-off final in 2015 before winning promotion to the Premier League in 2016, meaning he has recent experience at the top of the Championship table.
Claudio Ranieri: 6/4
Owner Andrea Radrizzani may choose to appoint a fellow Italian, and Ranieri fits the bill given his experience in English football. The former Chelsea boss enjoyed his greatest success with Leicester City in 2016, guiding the club to the Premier League title against all odds, but he was sacked in February with the Foxes loitering around the relegation zone. Ranieri may fancy another crack at English football, and he’s now as short as 6/4 for the Leeds job this evening.
Michael Laudrup, former Swansea City Manager
Michael Laudrup: 10/1
An intriguing link to emerge is to Danish legend Michael Laudrup, who is currently managing in Qatar with Al Rayyan following a spell with rivals Lekhwiya. The former Barcelona and Real Madrid star will be familiar to many for having managed Swansea City, where he was the boss of departed Leeds manager Monk. The 52-year-old could be tempted back to England despite a hot-and-cold spell with Swansea, and he’s now at around 10/1 for the Leeds job, in what would be an ambitious appointment.
Nigel Pearson: 10/1
Out of work since his short stint with Derby County came to an end in October 2016, Pearson may want another shot at management after acrimonious departures from Leicester and Derby. Often a divisive figure, Pearson has bags of Championship experience, and won promotion to the top flight in 2014. Now 10/1 for the Leeds job, Pearson could be a dark horse for a move to Elland Road.
Pep Clotet: 12/1
Spaniard Clotet was Monk’s assistant at Elland Road, and it’s yet unclear whether he will be following Monk to his next club. For now, 40-year-old Clotet is 12/1 for the Leeds job, but he hasn’t managed a club since taking charge of Malaga B in 2013. He will certainly know Monk’s methods and would be the ideal choice if Radrizzani wants continuity, making Clotet a name to keep an eye on as Leeds look for a new manager.
Who would you like to see Leeds appoint as their new boss?
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