Will Kyle Bartley follow Garry Monk instead of re-signing for Leeds United?
According to The Sun, former Leeds United boss Garry Monk is on the verge of becoming Middlesbrough manager.
The 38-year-old shocked Leeds last month by handing in his resignation after the Whites finished seventh in the Championship, missing a playoff spot by five points.
Monk’s charges mounted a very fine challenge for promotion last term and much of that was down to centre-back Kyle Bartley, who joined on a season-long loan from Swansea City.
It remains to be seen whether Leeds can sign him on a permanent basis, but if recent comments from both parties are anything to go by then the Yorkshire club should prepare for life without the 26-year-old.
Early in May, Monk confirmed to Radio Yorkshire that he would try and keep the “tremendous” Bartley at the club, on the assumption that he would be manager.
Before that, Bartley said this to The Yorkshire Evening Post: “If I was to say anything to Leeds it would be to get Garry signed up before you think about any players. He’s the cornerstone of this club at the moment and if they don’t sign him up they could be in trouble.”
It is obvious that the pair have enormous respect for each other and it is hardly beyond the realms of possibility for Monk – who also managed the former Arsenal man in South Wales – to try and take him to the Riverside, if he gets the job.
Bartley won plenty of admirers for his towering performances alongside Pontus Jansson at the heart of Leeds’ defence last term, and although the club should certainly try and bring him back to Elland Road, they should have back-up options in place. Chances are, they’ll need them.
United fans would love him back alongside Jansson next term, but it does not seem likely at this moment in time.
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