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Andrea Radrizzani says Garry Monk would have been given three-year deal by Leeds

By Andrew Dickson

Thursday 25 May 2017 15:49, UK

Garry Monk was set to be offered a three-year deal at Leeds, according to Andrea Radrizzani
Image: Garry Monk was set to be offered a three-year deal at Leeds, according to Andrea Radrizzani

Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani claims the club was ready to give Garry Monk a new three-year deal before he resigned

Monk - who had led Leeds to the cusp of the Championship play-offs before missing out on the final day of the season - surprisingly stepped down on Thursday.

Radrizzani, who completed a full takeover of the club this week, had made giving the former Swansea coach a new long-term contract a priority.

Leeds have released a statement, however, which claims it became clear in discussions this week the 38-year-old has no intention of remaining at Elland Road.

Radrizzani then took to Twitter to say: "Shocking news from GM. We were keen to do (a) three years deal.

Leeds are now looking for another head coach after missing out on a place in the Championship play-offs
Image: Leeds are now looking for another head coach after missing out on a place in the Championship play-offs

"We (have) never receive(d) any request from him and his agent. No regrets, we did our best #mot".

Monk has been linked with moves to other clubs, with press reports suggesting he could be a target for relegated Premier League sides Middlesbrough and Sunderland.

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No manager has spent more than two full seasons in charge of Leeds since Simon Grayson in his stay between 2008 and 2012
Image: No manager has spent more than two full seasons in charge of Leeds since Simon Grayson in his stay between 2008 and 2012

Another former Elland Road head coach, Steve Evans - the man Monk replaced last summer - has praised his impact.

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The Scotsman, who was given just over seven months in the position, told Sky Sports News HQ: "It has to be said he's done nothing short of a magnificent job.

"I'm one of the few coaches who can sit there quietly and understand how difficult it would have been for Garry behind the scenes.

Steve Evans believes Leeds fans will be disappointed to see Monk move on
Image: Steve Evans believes Leeds fans will be disappointed to see Monk move on

"He's gone about his business with Pep (Clotet) and James (Beattie) and in a professional fashion and I feel sorry for the Leeds United supporters.

"Once more they are back to something else. It's an opportunity for something new but they'll quite rightly be disappointed."

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