Simon Grayson did a fantastic job during his time as Leeds United boss, so may perhaps be a great candidate to consider this summer.
Garry Monk resigned from the Leeds post on Thursday
Garry Monk stunned many of the Leeds United fans this week by handing in his resignation at Elland Road just a couple of days after Andrea Radrizzani completed his full takeover of the Championship side.
While TEAMtalk suggested that Radrizzani had earmarked former Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka as a potential replacement for Monk before his departure, there is perhaps another candidate who would be popular amongst the Elland Road faithful and arguably has unfinished business at Leeds.
Aitor Karanka is the early favourite for the job
Simon Grayson is the man who Leeds have to thank for guiding the club out of the third tier, and arguably overseeing two of the most memorable victories the side have enjoyed since their relegation from the Premier League in 2004.
In 2010, the Whites – playing in League One at the time – beat Manchester United in the FA Cup at Old Trafford and then, just a matter of months later, a dramatic 2-1 victory over Bristol Rovers secured automatic-promotion back to the Championship.
Should Leeds consider targeting Simon Grayson?
After nearly guiding Leeds to the play-offs in their first campaign in the second division – they finished seventh, just as they did this past season under Monk – Grayson was sacked midway through the next campaign.
In fairness to Grayson, his hands were somewhat tied with a number of the club’s best players leaving the club while the hierarchy seemed unwilling to invest significant money on incoming players.
Nevertheless, the current Preston North End boss boasts the fourth highest win-rate of any Leeds manager – Monk is in fifth – and has arguably done a tremendous job at Deepdale, taking the Lilywhites up from the third tier and delivering two 11th place finishes in the Championship.
Grayson has done a great job with Leeds
Grayson may, of course, want to stay on at Preston and continue trying to build, but given his links with Leeds and the fact that he was arguably restricted in what he could do during the latter stages of his previous tenure, he may relish the chance to come back and finish the job he started if given the chance.
Elland Road was rocking for much of last season, and the admiration for Grayson amongst a large portion of the Leeds fanbase would arguably boost the chances of maintaining much of that positive atmosphere if the board decided to try and bring 47-year-old back.
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