Leeds United recently added the goalkeeper to their ranks.
In an interview with German website werderstube.de, Werder Bremen coach Alexander Nouri has denied making Felix Wiedwald’s decision for him following his switch to Leeds United.
The 27-year-old was the Bundesliga club’s first-choice stopper last season, but with just five clean sheets in that time, and 13 goals conceded in his last three league games, it seems Bremen’s boss felt the need for a change.
At the very least he sought more competition for places, and consequently signed Jiri Pavlenka from Slavia Prague before selling Wiedwald to Leeds for a knockdown price.
“I have to get rid of the claim that one of us is the only one to make the decision,” Nouri is quoted as telling werderstube.de when asked about Wiedwald’s Leeds switch.
“There was new competition for the goalkeeper position. I wish Felix only the best.”
The Bremen boss claimed he had been hoping both men would be competing for the gloves next season; as it is, Wiedwald is now battling veteran Rob Green for a starting spot at Elland Road and despite the latter’s age that will not be easy.
The 37-year-old impressed for Leeds last season, keeping three times as many clean sheets as Wiedwald managed, albeit in a very different league.
Only time will tell who starts the season as new Leeds manager Thomas Christiansen’s number one. But Wiedwald’s former boss seemingly wants to make it clear that whatever the claims, he did not send him packing to England.
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