Report: Monk to get 12-month extension at Leeds

We have said it here and here. Finally it appears someone has listened.

According to Sky Sports News HQ, Leeds United owner Andrea Radrizzani is set to offer manager Garry Monk a 12-month contract extension, thus keeping the popular boss at Elland Road for another season.

Monk came on board last summer to replace Steve Evans and led the Whites to a seventh-place finish — one outside a playoff spot — in the Championship.

Following the end of the season, Monk said he planned to sit down with Radrizzani to talk about his future. Those discussions did not occur until Radrizzani took full control of the team from former co-owner Massimo Cellino.

Why only a year deal?

The only issue here is why the deal would only be for a year. Since the end of the season, Monk has been linked to recently-relegated Middlesbrough and Sunderland as well as Watford. Sunderland manager David Moyes resigned Monday while Watford boss Walter Massani was fired last week.

It does beg the question: Just what does Radrizzani have in store for Leeds? Is the 12 months an opportunity to make sure stars align between the Italian and Monk? The Express reported Radrizzani had considered parting ways with Monk.

In Holland, news was of the Whites apparently pursuing FC Twente midfielder and Poland international Mateusz Klich. Klich had six goals for Twente last season and had one goal for Poland in a 3-2 friendly win over Denmark in August 2013.

Our friend Phil Hay reported today that Leeds is planning to appoint a new technical director. Middlesbrough chief scout Victor Orta is named as the lead candidate. It is one of the many changes Radrizzani is making at the club. Ben Mansford quit recently as the club’s CEO, making way for Ivan Bravo of Real Madrid fame in as the team’s director and former West Ham and Arsenal exec Angus Kinnear to be the new CEO.

Regardless, if the news is true and Monk gets an extension, Leeds fans can breathe a sigh of relief and focus on the summer transfer season.