When Garry Monk was sacked by Swansea in December 2015, he assessed the options with respect to his future that were available to him at arm’s length, taking his own time to ensure that any decision made by him doesn’t end up as a hasty recourse. Before this campaign kicked off, Leeds United came to his door, along with the notorious impression of their owner, Massimo Cellino, who is infamous for sacking his managers as soon as results fail to impress him.
It was a one-year rolling contract on the table in front of Monk, who knew that pressure was going to stock up. Leeds United are a club with illustrious history, so expectations were to come alongside it. In spite of venturing into easier routes, the former Swansea centre-back took the one which his inner soul called for, considering the chaotic situations the Whites created for themselves. Leeds United needed someone like him, and he didn’t disappoint.
The 37-year-old, in such a short span, cultivated a winning mentality into the side and brought a calm authority. His tactics have worked, gave hopes of resurrection and pushed the team forward. Result? The Peacocks sit in the play-off spots pretty comfortably and if the things keep going on in this manner, an entry into the Premier League looks very much viable. Credit where it is due, Monk engineered a group of players who are committed to working as a unit and bring the glory days back to the Elland Road.
In the ongoing transfer window, more than the need of acquiring players, it is the extension of Monk’s contract that holds paramount importance. The new co-owner of Leeds United, Andrea Radrizzani, has given a word of assurance that the manager’s contract will be renewed as it expires at the end of the season, considering that he has exceeded the expectations of the club. Frankly speaking, it is Monk who is needed to be convinced in order to stay, thus implying that it is needed to be fixed as soon as possible.
When Monk took over the club, he succeeded Steve Evans, who was the sixth manager whose contract was terminated by Cellino in his two-and-a-half-year at the throne, which tells us how miserable the scenario used to be at the club. With Monk came a breeze of subtleness and with their very important 1-0 win over Derby County this weekend, it is important that Leeds United do not lose the plot of keeping Monk as the manager of their side.
