Here are the latest Leeds United headlines for Tuesday, May 30, 2023.
Gelhardt praise
Sunderland sporting director Kristjaan Speakman has revealed Joe Gelhardt played with an injury which would have sidelined most loan players. The Leeds United youngster has proven to be a big hit on Wearside despite failing to score the amount of goals the Black Cats would have hoped for following his arrival on loan from Elland Road.
Gelhardt registered three goals in 18 games for Tony Mowbray's men, but his work rate and commitment to the cause in a team lacking attacking options, has been widely praised, not least by Speakman.
It's understood Sunderland would like to have the 21-year-old back at the Stadium of Light next season, although Leeds' relegation to the Championship is likely to put an end to that hope at this stage. While the player's future is up in the air, Sunderland's admiration for Gelhardt is clear.
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"Joffy [Gelhardt] was probably a stand out in the last few weeks of the season," Speakman told the Northern Echo. "He played with an injury. In this type of scenario, a lot of (loan) players don't play. To go through what he went through behind the scenes to get himself out on the pitch is a massive mark of respect.
"We're probably a bit disappointed for Joffy. We'd like to have seen him play in a slightly different team shape with some different personnel and maybe we'd have seen more out of him, but he was part of that flexible forward line that helped contribute goals. I think we were fourth top scorers in the league. We were really pleased with him both in and out of possession."
Left-field candiate
Former Middlesbrough and Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer has put forward a left-field shout for who Leeds United should pursue as their next manager – and his suggestion received a big thumbs up from former Whites forward Michael Bridges.
Speaking on the GegenPod Football Podcast , Schwarzer pointed out that his former Australia teammate Kevin Muscat had done an excellent job since taking over from Ange Postecoglou at Japanese side Yokohama F. Marinos, just as he had after succeeding the same man at Melbourne Victory after working as his assistant. After winning two league titles in Australia, Muscat led Yokohama to last year’s J-League title, with the club currently challenging for the title again as the competition approaches its halfway point.
Schwarzer said: “Bridgey, I’m going to throw you a curveball: what about someone like Kevin Muscat? If you think about the impact Ange Postecoglou has had at Celtic, playing the style of football he’s played…Kevin Muscat has gone into Yokohama and done the same if not probably elevated them even a little bit more.
Marsch's Monaco links
Former Leeds United manager Jesse Marsch is a candidate to replace Paul Clement as manager of AS Monaco. The French side are in danger of missing out on a European place, having dropped to sixth in the Ligue 1 table following a poor run of results.
Monaco would need to finish in the top four to ensure European football, and with just one game to go, speculation is mounting over Clement's future. That has led to links with US coach Marsch, who has been away from managerment since leaving Elland Road in February.
Marsch took over from Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds United in 2022 and helped save the club from relegation on the final day at Brentford. However, the Whites failed to progress this season, despite spending big on the likes of Brenden Aaronson, Georginio Rutter, Luis Sinisterra, Tyler Adams and Rasmus Kristensen.
Following a run of seven Premier League games without a win, Marsch was sacked by Leeds in February, with Javi Gracia replacing the American. Of course Gracia last only two months before Sam Allardyce took over, with the latter failing to keep the club in the Premier League.
Marsch had been linked with the vacancies at Southampton and Leicester City earlier this year, but couldn't agree terms with the Saints. However he could now be set for a return to football with Monaco - if they decide to change managers.
He has also been linked with the US Men's national team role following Gregg Berhalter's exit after the World Cup, and Monaco's interest could be the catalyst for progress on that front.
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