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

By Andrew Dickson

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.

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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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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.

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.

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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