Andrea Radrizzani was left “on the floor” when Garry Monk resigned as Leeds United manager, according to the Yorkshire Evening Post.
The newspaper claim that the United owner was not expecting Monk to quit so abruptly amid talks to extend his reign following a hugely encouraging debut season at Elland Road.
Monk steered the team to seventh in the Championship and was immensely popular with supporters despite an end-of-season collapse.
Leeds had until 31 May to take up an option to extend Monk’s year-long contract by a further 12 months but the manager wanted a long-term deal and resigned on 25 May, the day before Radrizzani planned to exercise the option.
“Radrizzani was described as “on the floor” when Monk’s message dropped but realistic about the pointless scenario of retaining a head coach who was asking to leave,” report the Yorkshire Evening Post. “Those close to Monk argued at the time that he felt undervalued by a short extension and expected Leeds to show more commitment to him after a convincing season as head coach.
“As surprises go it wrong-footed Andrea Radrizzani, despite the realisation in the days leading up to the crunch that he and Monk were not altogether on the same page.”
OPINION
Leeds fans were none too impressed when Monk was appointed by Middlesbrough and he is in line for a hostile reception at Elland Road on Sunday when he takes his current club to his former club for what promises to be a feisty Championship showdown. Fifth-placed Boro are five places and three points above Leeds in the table and there are signs that the former Swansea manager is making his mark after spending big in the summer on new talent. United fans will make it clear in no uncertain terms that Monk bailed out on them just as a sleeping giant was beginning to stir but, with Thomas Christiansen struggling to end a horror run of results, could be forgiven for thinking that they wouldn’t mind swapping the two men who will patrol the technical areas on Sunday.