Forget Garry Monk – Here Are 3 Ready-made Replacements Who Leeds United Can Target

Three Replacements For Garry Monk Who Leeds Can Target

When news emerged that Andrea Radrizzani had completed the takeover of Leeds United, it offered a sense of hope to the fans that the club will be under a stable ownership from thereon.

The Italian’s first duty was to determine who would be the manager next season. With Garry Monk’s contract set to expire, Radrizzani was swift to act and offered Monk a new deal to stay put at the Elland Road, in reward for the good work the former Swansea City manager had done with the team this season.

However, instead of signing the extension, Monk decided to part ways with Leeds, much to the astonishment of the fans. The Welshman later went on to reveal that he resigned as he expected the club to offer a deal which was longer than a year, leaving the club to find a new manager before the work for the pre-season begins.

And here are three replacements for Monk that Leeds United can consider bringing in:

Aitor Karanka

The former Middlesbrough manager has been out of a job since mid-March after the Teessiders decided to get rid of him, following their poor Premier League campaign. But Karanka remains a proven manager at the Championship level and he might be the man to take Leeds forward.

The Spaniard may not employ the most attractive brand of football, but gets the job done as he has shown in the past 4 years with Boro. Having taken the team to the promotion playoffs in the 2014-15, where they faltered, he led the Teesside outfit to the Premier League via an automatic promotion in the 2015-16 campaign. Despite his conservative approach, he has proven his abilities in the Championship and could be the right man to help Leeds to that elusive promotion to the Premier League.

Michael Appleton

After having endured difficult times with Portsmouth, Blackpool and Blackburn Rovers, Appleton seems to have settled in nicely at Oxford United.

Since taking over at Oxford United in July 2014 when they were in the League Two, the 41-year old led the team to a promotion to the League One in the 2015-16 and an 8th-placed finish in the recently concluded campaign. Moreover, he has led Oxford to consecutive EFL Trophy finals which sadly ended in defeats to Barnsley and Coventry City. Appleton has been able to achieve all this by playing an attractive brand of football and has shown that he is willing to promote young and upcoming talents as well.

With experience of having led a team to promotion and his affinity towards development of youth talents, Appleton is someone who Leeds should look at.

Claudio Ranieri

This one might be an over-ambitious approach, but reports have been doing the rounds that Radrizzani is plotting a swoop for fellow countryman and former Leicester City boss Claudio Ranieri (ESPN).

The Italian has been out of a job since the Foxes let him go earlier this year following a poor nine months after Ranieri had led them to the Premier League title in the 2015/16 season. His wealth of experience, his proven track record will be a huge asset for the team. But, it will be hard to convince him to take up the managerial position at the Elland Road. But, if Leeds manage to pull this off, it will be a huge statement of intent from the Yorkshire based club.