Leon Wobschall: New deal for Garry Monk urgently required before it is too late

END of the season, same old script for Leeds United.
SAME OLD STORY: Leeds United face uncertainty over their manager - as  has happened for the last three managers.SAME OLD STORY: Leeds United face uncertainty over their manager - as  has happened for the last three managers.
SAME OLD STORY: Leeds United face uncertainty over their manager - as has happened for the last three managers.

It is threatening to become as much a part of sporting tradition as strawberries, cream and Pimm’s at Wimbledon as well as respectable gentlemen dozing off in their Panama hats and egg-and-bacon MCC ties just after luncheon at the Lord’s Test.

Managerial uncertainty is doing the rounds again at Elland Road. It is so depressingly familiar, it is untrue. Except it is. Again.

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Around 12 months ago, it revolved around Steve Evans. In the late spring of 2015, it was Neil Redfearn. The year before that, it was Brian McDermott. Now it is Garry Monk.

Ripping up and starting again has been the default position in recent years and the oh-so-familiar round of speculation suggesting that another change in the dug-out could be afoot again has reared its ugly head. It is like an old joke.

The fact that Whites supporters - even accounting for the disappointment in missing out on a Championship play-off place which looked nailed on not so long back - have warmed to the renaissance work undertaken by Monk in putting the club back in the sports pages for the right reasons does not seem to be the primary concern.

Monk is building Leeds from the bottom up. Yes, 2016-17 has not been without its imperfections, especially at the end of the season and in the transfer market. But Leeds are in sound and stable hands under a manager whose star is shining and whose achievements will not have gone unnoticed elsewhere.

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Few Championship realists expected Leeds to be serious play-off players back in August, with Monk presiding over comfortably the club’s best season in six years, despite narrowly missing out on the top six.

Leeds United boss Garry Monk applauds the Elland Road crowd after Saturday's 3-3 draw against Norwich.Leeds United boss Garry Monk applauds the Elland Road crowd after Saturday's 3-3 draw against Norwich.
Leeds United boss Garry Monk applauds the Elland Road crowd after Saturday's 3-3 draw against Norwich.

Players have bought into his methods; the flower of youth is blossoming and the togetherness is strong. The chances of Leeds going again next season and being decent promotion candidates under the stewardship of Monk looks a safe enough bet. If the dominoes fall into place.

Leeds currently hold an option to extend Monk’s deal to the end of next season, with his contractual situation having not been firmly addressed in the final months of this campaign. Eyes appear to have been taken off the ball.

It has allowed speculation to breed to suggest that Monk may, in fact, move elsewhere, with his work having drawn covetous glances from rival clubs.

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Monk spoke of Leeds needing to be smarter in their January recruitment and it is highly likely that he will require reassurances regarding the club’s transfer budget and strategy before deciding whether to commit. It is only natural.

Leeds United boss Garry Monk applauds the Elland Road crowd after Saturday's 3-3 draw against Norwich.Leeds United boss Garry Monk applauds the Elland Road crowd after Saturday's 3-3 draw against Norwich.
Leeds United boss Garry Monk applauds the Elland Road crowd after Saturday's 3-3 draw against Norwich.

Anyone requiring further proof of the impact made by Monk at Leeds should perhaps listen to the post-match interview from Kyle Bartley after Saturday’s game.

Here was a solid, mature professional, whose opinion has always been valued in the dressing room at Leeds during a season when he has represented the club with distinction on and off the pitch. He was speaking common sense in suggesting that if the club were to lose Monk, it would set them back considerably.

Bartley said: “I said after week two of the season that Gary is the best manager in the league and my opinion on that hasn’t changed all season. He’s a fantastic manager and I feel a bit embarrassed talking about my future when his future is up in the air.

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“If I was to say anything to Leeds, it would be to get Gary signed up before you think about any players. He’s the cornerstone of this club a the moment and if they don’t sign him up they could be in trouble.

“His personality, knowledge, insight, temperament are all second to none. He’s been absolutely fantastic. He’s never pointed fingers when things have gone wrong, he’s took the blame.

“If Gary does stay the club will be in better hands than if he doesn’t.

“Everything is set up, the fan base is there and the size of the club but the summer is massive for Leeds and the owners need to show their intent and if they do that it will be onwards and upwards and if they don’t then on their heads be it.”

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His feelings are not likely to have been in isolation. He pretty much uttered what most Leeds fans inwardly think and what the dressing room fervently believe.

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Yorkshire Post - Football

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