Leeds news: Garry Monk reveals the real reason why he quit the club
GARRY MONK says a lack of long-term guarantees from Leeds United bosses prompted him to walk away from the club.
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Monk enjoyed a promising maiden campaign in charge of Leeds last season, guiding them to a seventh-place finish in the Championship table, but he shocked fans by quitting in May.
The 38-year-old pitched up at Middlesbrough two weeks later following their relegation from the Premier League.
Monk takes his new team to Elland Road on Sunday (1.15pm) for the first time since leaving Leeds.
And when asked about the reception he might get from Leeds fans, he said: “If I’m honest about it - the way I look at it - I know outwardly the question will always be there because I was the manager of Leeds United last season but this game’s not about me, it’s about my team.
"That’s all I’m focused on and what my players are focused on but I totally understand why that question is there.
“Of course, in terms of my memories of Leeds, [I have] fantastic memories of Leeds United. Last season we took a club that was very fractured in terms of relationships throughout certain departments and how it was as a club from fans to the team and we put foundations [in place].
“Us, along with the fans, worked very hard to build that relationship to where it was strong and where it was together and unified. That side of it I’m very proud of.
I never felt there was any long-term intention... to give me a long-term future at that club
“We left really good foundations to go on and our plan was always to take it into this next season and go for those automatic positions and gain a promotion, that was always the intention.
“Unfortunately for myself and for my staff we felt that we weren’t given that opportunity because we never really felt there was a real intention to offer us a long-term contract with a view to having that long-term project which we thought it would be.
“Of course, I always expected to be there longer than one season. The reason why we worked and put those foundations there is to make a long-term project but that’s done now.
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“Every owner has their views and what they want to do and it wasn’t right for me.
“I never felt there was any long-term intention or any intention to give me a long-term future at that club.
“As a manager you have to make the decision and I made that decision. Yes, it would put me out of work but you have to say what you believe in and that was the only reason why I left the club.”
