Former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan said Garry Monk was doing a better job than Newcastle’s Rafa Benitez.
Newcastle United take on Leeds at the weekend in a clash between two of the league’s most in form teams.
Leeds boss Garry Monk has turned Leeds around from a mid-table side to have them competing among promotion chasers, currently occupying a play-off spot.
Leeds United manager Garry Monk
The Whites are currently sixth, but their form was not enough to help Monk seal the recent manager of the month award.
That instead went to weekend opponent manager Rafa Benitez, with his Newcastle side ending October with five wins from five games.
Despite this, former Leeds striker Noel Whelan yesterday argued in the Yorkshire Evening Post that Monk’s achievements this season have been greater than Benitez’s at Newcastle.
Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez
He stated that the transfer budget Newcastle had at their disposal made it easier for the Spaniard, while Monk was working with the early threat of the sack if it did not go right, going by owner Massimo Cellino’s previous history.
He said: “I would say Garry has probably done a better job because it’s difficult when you are on a budget and you have got to bring players in and you don’t have money available.
“So really, the job that Garry has done, is probably a little bit harder and he is a little bit more successful right now than Benitez.”
Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez
Newcastle currently sit at the top of the Championship with eight wins from their last 10 games, and are 11 points clear of Leeds after 16 games.
Unsurprisingly Toon supporters did not react in a complimentary manner towards Whelan’s suggestion, keen to back their own man and dismiss the suggestion that Monk has been better. Here is a look at the reaction via Twitter…
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
