Garry Monk to Leeds: Former Swansea manager to be unveiled as Steve Evans's replacement on Thursday

Monk joins Leeds after being sacked by Swansea in December last year

Thursday 02 June 2016 07:11 EDT
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Former Swansea manager Garry Monk is set to be named Leeds manager
Former Swansea manager Garry Monk is set to be named Leeds manager (Getty)

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Leeds are expected to unveil former Swansea manager Garry Monk as the club's new head coach on Thursday afternoon.

Monk, 37, is understood to have agreed to become Leeds' seventh boss in just over two years under Italian owner Massimo Cellino.

The club said in a short statement: "Leeds United will be holding a press conference at Elland Road this afternoon (2.30pm, Thursday June 2) to unveil a new key appointment for the club."

Monk was a free agent, having been sacked by Barclays Premier League club Swansea in December last year.

Previous Leeds head coach Steve Evans left the Sky Bet Championship outfit on Tuesday, when confirmation he would not be offered a new contract ended his seven-and-a-half-month spell at Elland Road.

MK Dons boss Karl Robinson turned down the offer to work with Cellino last week, and Darrell Clarke opted to sign a new three-year deal at Bristol Rovers after they had been asked permission by Leeds to speak with their manager.

Monk was quick to make an early impression as a bright young manager after being appointed by Swansea in May 2014.

He had spent the previous 10 years as a central defender and skipper at the Welsh club, whom he joined when they were in League Two, and had been handed the temporary role as head coach following the sacking of Michael Laudrup in February 2014.

Monk guided Swansea to their highest Premier League finish of eighth in his first full season, but after an encouraging start to the 2015/16 campaign - he was August's manager of the month - the club dismissed him after a run of just one win in his last 11 games.

Former Cagliari owner Cellino kept Evans waiting three weeks before instructing Leeds secretary Stuart Hayton to inform the Scot he would not be offered a new contract despite meeting his remit of keeping the club in the Championship.

Evans was the sixth head coach to lose his job under Cellino, who had previously sacked Brian McDermott, David Hockaday, Darko Milanic, Neil Redfearn and Uwe Rosler.

Cellino was recently charged by the Football Association over an alleged breach of its agent regulations, while he has also served a Football League ban for tax evasion.

His ownership has come under increasing criticism from fans, with the 'Time To Go Massimo' protest group particularly vociferous. Cellino announced a fortnight ago - not for the first time - he wanted to sell the club.

PA

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