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Garry Monk emerges as a candidate for the Southampton job

By Nikos Lemanis

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 07: Garry Monk manager of Leeds United looks on prior to the Sky Bet Championship match between Fulham and Leeds United at Craven Cottage on March 7, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 07: Garry Monk manager of Leeds United looks on prior to the Sky Bet Championship match between Fulham and Leeds United at Craven Cottage on March 7, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images) /
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In an exclusive article this morning, The Daily Star are claiming that former defender Garry Monk has emerged as a contender for the Southampton managerial role.

Although previously linked with the vacant Sunderland post and widely believed to be coveted by Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson to replace caretaker manager Steve Agnew, according to Starsport “Monk has no interest in taking charge of the Black Cats and has put a possible move to Boro on hold”.

Instead, The Daily Star claims that the former Leeds and Swansea boss has his heart set on joining the Saints.” But is he the right man to take over from under-fire manager Claude Puel?

LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 07: Garry Monk manager of Leeds United looks on prior to the Sky Bet Championship match between Fulham and Leeds United at Craven Cottage on March 7, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 07: Garry Monk manager of Leeds United looks on prior to the Sky Bet Championship match between Fulham and Leeds United at Craven Cottage on March 7, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images) /

Swansea

It may seem like a while ago now, Garry Monk’s Swansea finished 8th in the Premier League in the 2014/15 season, their best ever position and highest points tally.

A former club captain who had been with them on their journey through the leagues, this fairy tale ending prompted murmurings that Monk could be “made for the England job”. However after a disappointing start to last season (one win in 11 games), he was unceremoniously sacked in December 2015.

Leeds

Leeds finished in 7th place in the Championship this season, still one place outside the playoff positions but a significant improvement on their 13th place finish the season before.

Monk was also the only one of seven managers to survive the reign of owner Massimo Cellino without being sacked. However he walked out on the Leeds job in May, only two days after Andrea Radrizzani took over ownership.

Ending his reign of 42 matches with a 50% win ratio, Monk was set to be offered a 12 month extension to his contract at Leeds, but instead chose an emotional parting of ways, stating that “after discussions with the new owner, we have unfortunately been unable to agree a suitable way for us to all move forward together.”

Although they had missed out on a playoff spot, Leeds fans were said to be “shocked and gutted”.

Verdict

Monk’s preference is to play attractive, attacking football based on possession and individual freedom of expression. This is exactly the kind of football that Southampton fans have come to expect, but that many have felt is lacking under Puel.

It could be argued that Monk still needs to prove himself at Championship level before making the step back up to the Premier League, and a promotion push with Boro or Sunderland might be exactly the experience he needs at this point in his career.

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