Garry Monk gave Pontus Jansson his chance in England at Leeds United – and the manager’s potential move to Southampton will increase rumours of a reunion.
Southampton manager Claude Puel divided supporters
You can understand why Southampton supporters may be divided over the future of Claude Puel. On one hand, the softly-spoken Frenchman guided The Saints to the League Cup final while ensuring they retained their top half Premier League finish despite yet more big-money departures.
On the other, Southampton crashed out of the Europa League in the group stage and produced some of the least inspiring football in the division on occasions. They were booed off after a final day 1-0 home loss to Stoke City at St Mary’s.
As such, The Mirror reports that the South Coast club could wield the axe this summer just twelve months after arriving from Nice – and Garry Monk is Southampton’s first choice replacement.
Garry Monk hasn’t managed in the Premier League since being sacked by Swansea City in 2015
It will surely tug on the heartstrings of Leeds United supporters to see their former manager in the Premier League after a springtime collapse cost The Whites a place in the Championship play-offs.
Re-union?
Yet, Monk rocking up at Southampton could have even more worrying consequences for Leeds. The Saints have been heavily linked with a move for Whites’ cult hero Pontus Jansson in recent months – particularly as talismanic centre-back Virgil van Dijk appears to be edging closer to Liverpool.
Pontus Jansson was arguably the Championship’s best defender last season
And it seems telling that Monk rescued Jansson from his nightmare spell at Torino by signing him on a season-long loan at Leeds last season.
The Whites agreed to turn his temporary move permanent for £3.5 million in January. However, The Sun claim that Southampton would pay three times that amount in order to put a spanner in the works.
And although The Swede appears more than happy to remain at Elland Road, you wonder whether Monk’s potential appointment could change that.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
