Garry Monk’s surprising decision to quit Leeds United has left fans stunned this week.
Following a great season where the Whites finished seventh in the Championship table, there were high hopes that Leeds could really kick on in the 2017-18 campaign.
There was a feeling that Monk was really trying to build something at Elland Road.
After years in the doldrums with a revolving door policy of managers, fans were coming back to watch Leeds in their droves.
The pride was very much back among Leeds fans, and there was a feeling that this sleeping giant was ready to awaken.
The team was playing good football, with Chris Wood finishing as top-scorer in the division, and a cult hero emerging in the form of centre back Pontus Jansson.
But with Monk gone and a new owner in charge, it looks like another season of transition is in store for the West Yorkshire club.
Both parties – new owner Andrea Radrizzani and Monk – are saying that the other is to blame in terms of why this has happened. It is difficult to know who to believe but what cannot be denied is that the former Swansea man is now gone and the two have parted ways.
Monk will not have a shortage of suitors after the job he has done in difficult circumstances at Leeds. Middlesbrough, Sunderland, Crystal Palace and Watford are all looking for new managers, all have much bigger budgets than Leeds, and may be prepared to give Monk a long-term contract.
Meanwhile, Aitor Karanka has emerged as the firm favourite to take on the Leeds job, with one of Middlesbrough’s former staff now on the books at Elland Road.
He steered the Riversiders to promotion during his time on Teesside but struggled once they were in the Premier League.
However, I can’t imagine Leeds fans are thinking that far ahead just yet – if he can get the club in the Premier League then they’ll probably take it from there.