Laurens De Bock opens up on Leeds United failure amid 'negative spiral' at Elland Road

The Leeds United left-back has discussed his Elland Road woes.
Leeds United defender Laurens De Bock. (Bruce Rollinson)Leeds United defender Laurens De Bock. (Bruce Rollinson)
Leeds United defender Laurens De Bock. (Bruce Rollinson)

Leeds United defender Laurens De Bock says he arrived at Elland Road amid a 'negative spiral' which played a role in his failure at the club.

The 27-year-old full-back joined the Whites ranks from Club Brugge in January 2018 as he put pen to paper on a four-year deal.

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De Bock, though, endured a tough start to life in Leeds as former head coach Thomas Christiansen was sacked weeks after his transfer.

The Belgian made just seven appearances before being replaced by Under-23s defender Tom Pearce towards the end of the campaign by new boss Paul Heckingbottom.

De Bock was then sent out on loan in the summer by incoming manager Marcelo Bielsa having fallen down the pecking order in LS11.

Spells with Oostende, Sunderland and ADO Den Haag in Holland followed before he again joined Belgian outfit Zulte Waregem last month in another temporary switch away from Leeds.

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"I had the misfortune to arrive each time in clubs that were in a negative spiral," he told Sport/Voetbalmagazine.

"Let’s take Leeds: I was immediately in the starting line-up and I played a good first game against Millwall, in front of my family and friends, all present in the stands. My feeling was fantastic despite the 3-4 defeat.

"Atmosphere in the packed stadium… I thought: ‘As long as it lasts…’

"Unfortunately, the club changed coaches [Paul Heckingbottom replaced Thomas Christiansen] soon after [I arrived] and the new one [Marcelo Bielsa] didn’t like me on the bench.

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"Then I was loaned out to Oostende, but there too the results were bad. It is difficult to impose yourself in these conditions."

De Bock remains on the payroll in West Yorkshire and still has two years left to run on his deal following his latest loan move.

Asked if his contract with Leeds was a factor in failing to seek a more permanent move away from Elland Road, he said: "Obviously, earning a lot is nice.

"Football is my job after all. But I was never motivated by money.

“At the time, I also had the option of going to play in Russia, where I would have got even more, but I did not accept.”

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