Andy Lonergan met Chris Coleman, but decided he wanted to stay at Leeds United.
Leeds goalkeeper Andy Lonergan reacts during The Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Newport County and Leeds United at Rodney Parade on January 7, 2018 in Newport, Wales.
On transfer deadline day it looked like Leeds United goalkeeper Andy Lonergan was on his way to Sunderland. It had been heavily reported that he was on his way to the Stadium of Light as Chris Coleman looked for a new goalkeeper.
For most Leeds fans and pundits it seemed as though the deal was as good as done. However, in the end, it did not happen.
Lonergan remained at Leeds, leaving Sunderland slightly in the lurch.
Chris Coleman, manager of Sunderland during The Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Middlesbrough and Sunderland at the Riverside Stadium on January 6, 2018 in Middlesbrough, England.
Now the Leeds boss Thomas Christiansen has tried to shed some light on the botched move. Speaking to BBC Radio Yorkshire he joked that after meeting with Sunderland boss Coleman, he decided he would rather stay with him at Elland Road:
“He spoke to their coach and knowing that he has me here he decided to stay with me (laughs). No, no no.”
The Spaniard went on to explain how happy he was that the veteran goalkeeper had decided to stay and leave experience on the bench:
“No, but we are just happy he finally decided to be in Leeds.
“If he had been gone we would have had the young goalkeepers from the academy. Of course if I have the possibility to choose myself, I would prefer to have Andy on the bench and that’s the situation I have now.”
Lee Camp of Rotherham United in action during the Sky Bet Championship match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Rotherham at Amex Stadium on August 16, 2016 in Brighton, England.
Sunderland were left scraping at the end of the deadline to find themselves the keeper Coleman wanted to shore up the position and eventually they got that with the arrival of another Championship stalwart in Lee Camp. He arrived from Cardiff City and is now expected to take over as number one at the Stadium of Light.
Lonergan will now go back to providing back up to Felix Wiedwald in the Leeds set-up and spending time with his wise-cracking gaffer Christiansen.
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