Leeds United: Waiting game continues on new Whites head coach

Monk resigned from his role as head coach a week last Thursday and the 38-year-old is being strongly linked with the vacant managerial position at Middlesbrough.

United, meanwhile, are continuing to work towards appointing their new boss but the club are keeping their cards close to their chest regards the identities of candidates.

Former Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka was the first name strongly linked with the post but the YEP understands that the 43-year-old is not currently being considered.

Contrary to speculation, former Swansea City boss Michael Laudrup and Preston North End boss Simon Grayson are two other names that United are not thought to be currently looking at. Pep Clotet, Monk’s former assistant, was backed into favouritism to land the role on Friday, ahead of former Leicester City boss Claudio Ranieri. Former Tottenham and Real Madrid boss Juande Ramos was also being linked with the post this weekend and the 62-year-old has ties with United’s new director of football Victor Orta with whom he has worked before in Spain.

But Leeds are keeping a quiet counsel regards their hunt for Monk’s successor – 11 days after their former head coach resigned.

Monk failed to give clear reasons for his departure, saying only that he was unable to agree a suitable way to move forward with new Whites owner Radrizzani who was intent on offering Monk a new three-year deal.

Monk’s one-year deal was set to expire this summer but Radrizzani had hoped to activate a one-year extension to Monk’s contract before later offering the former Swansea City boss a longer deal.