Steve McClaren was seen in the crowd watching Leeds United against Blackburn on Tuesday night.
Ex-Newcastle manager Steve McClaren
Former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan told BBC Radio Leeds (13/09/2016) that fans shouldn’t read too much into Steve McClaren’s presence at Elland Road on Tuesday.
The Whites claimed their first home win of the season as they beat Blackburn Rovers at Elland Road, as after Marvin Emnes had equalised for Rovers following Chris Wood’s opener, Leeds went back in front through Kyle Bartley.
Leeds United’s manager Garry Monk
Leeds’ victory not only takes them out of the relegation zone, but also eases some of the pressure on manager Garry Monk – or so you would think.
The Mirror reported last month that trigger-happy chairman Massimo Cellino was already considering the future of manager Monk, who was only appointed as Steve Evans’ replacement back in June.
Leeds United manager Garry Monk
Monk appears to be safe for now, but you just never know with Cellino – and intriguingly, another manager was in attendance at Elland Road on Tuesday night.
Former England boss Steve McClaren was spotted in the stands watching Leeds take on Blackburn, prompting rumours that he could end up replacing Monk in the Elland Road dugout.
Out of work having left Newcastle United back in March, McClaren has prior experience with Derby County, Twente, Wolfsburg, Nottingham Forest and Middlesbrough, but his poor spell with Newcastle has prompted major questions over his ability as a manager.
Former Newcastle manager Steve McClaren looks dejected
After McClaren was spotted in the crowd, BBC Radio Leeds analyst Noel Whelan – a Leeds-born former striker for the club – was asked about the situation, and suggested fans shouldn’t read too much into his appearance, adding that it may just be adding two and two together given the pressure on Monk.
“I wouldn’t read too much into it,” said Whelan. “Lots of ex managers come and watch all kinds of games. Any time there’s a litte bit of pressure on a manager and someone is seen in the stands, that’s all they’re going to think,” he added.
Intriguingly, McClaren was quoted by BBC Sport earlier this week as saying that the next step of his career may be as a sporting director rather than a manager, and that could be something that Cellino looks into, rather than replacing Monk so early into his time as Leeds boss.
Would you rather have Monk or McClaren in charge of Leeds?
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