Monk tipped for Boro job after quitting Leeds United
Garry Monk and Aitor Karanka could effectively swap jobs – after the former Swansea boss quit Leeds United yesterday.
Monk is now tipped to become Karanka’s replacement as permanent manager of Middlesbrough, while the Spaniard appears to be well in the running to take over at Elland Road.
The Leeds hierarchy were said to be shocked by Monk’s resignation, less than a year after taking command.
Just the day before, Monk new owner Andrea Radrizzani had revealed Leeds’ wish to trigger a 12-month contract extension for their head coach towards the end of this week.
Monk, though, had other ideas and asked to be released from his deal, which still had a month or so to run.
Italian businessman Radrizzani “reluctantly” accepted the request, and agreed to give up any potential compensation claim, should another club move for the 38-year-old.
This could be the green light for Middlesbrough, relegated back to the Championship after just one season in the Premier League, to make a move.
Steve Agnew has been in interim charge at the Riverside since Karanka’s dismissal in March, but chairman Steve Gibson wants a more experienced man at the helm for the challenge next term.
Meanwhile, Karanka – who guided Boro to promotion last season – is the early favourite to succeed Monk at Leeds, with his long-time ally, Victor Orta, on the verge of being appointed as Leeds’s new technical director following his departure from Boro earlier this week.
On Monk, Radrizzani tweeted yesterday: “We were keen to do 3 years deal. We never receive any request from him and his agent. No regrets, we did our best.”
Monk, in a statement, said: “It is a huge disappointment my time at Leeds United has come to an end. My intention was to remain at Leeds and I saw myself at this fantastic club for many years to come.
“However, unfortunately, no agreement could be reached. After discussions with the new owner, we have unfortunately been unable to agree a suitable way for us all to move forward together.”