Ex-Leeds target's comments about Aitor Karanka should convince Whites to reignite interest if Spaniard is appointed
Jordan Harris @JordanHarris81137 minutes ago
Leeds United have been linked with handing Aitor Karanka the manager's job, so perhaps one of his former players should be on his radar if given the role.
Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka before the match
Aitor Karanka has been linked with the Leeds job
One of the names that has been heavily linked with succeeding Garry Monk at Leeds is Aitor Karanka, especially with the Whites set to appoint Victor Orta - who previously worked with Karanka at Middlesbrough - as the club's new technical director (via Yorkshire Evening Post).
If Karanka is appointed, it perhaps would not be too great a surprise to see Leeds reignite their interest in a former target, especially as he seemingly could not speak higher of the Spaniard after working with him at the Riverside Stadium.
The Daily Mirror suggested in January 2016 that Lee Tomlin wanted to join Leeds after a frustrating spell at Bournemouth, while former Whites boss Steve Evans told the Football League Paper that had he remained in charge last summer, he would have targeted the 28-year-old.
Lee Tomlin of Bristol City (L) and Luke Ayling of Leeds United in action
Lee Tomlin has been linked with Leeds in the past
And judging by his comments about Karanka from earlier this year - as reported by Gazette Live - Leeds should consider reigniting that interest if they decide that Jose Mourinho's former assistant is the man to succeed Monk at Elland Road.
"His message was always, 'If you play well, you'll stay in the team'. His methods in training and matches were brilliant," he told Gazette Live.
"You get some managers and the first thing they say after a defeat is 'your body fat mass is wrong' or 'you need to get F***er'. But Karanka treated us all like adults, and the dressing room respected him for that.
Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka
Tomlin could not praise Karanka high enough
"Karanka was always fair on the training ground. When you trained, you trained hard - and there was no messing about. But in the changing room, training had finished - so you can do what you want.
"Some clubs don't let you have phones in the canteen or in the building, there's rule after rule. But it wasn't like that at Boro - that's one of the best things about Karanka. He treated you like a grown-up."
Tomlin has endured a mixed season with Bristol City this past term, but still scored six times and contributed five assists for the Robins as they secured fairly comfortable survival in the Championship.
General view inside the stadium before the game - Elland Road
In his final season working with Karanka, Tomlin contributed eight goals and 10 assists in the league, and that kind of return would be most welcome at Leeds where Chris Wood's performances were so vital to their form.
SEE ALSO: Despite inconsistency, Leeds' reported pursuit of 23-year-old is wise decision
Tomlin would not only be able to provide cover for Wood up front, but he is also more than capable of playing amongst the three that sit just off the striker, whether that be on the wing or in a more central role.
That form should persuade Leeds to make another move for the forward if they do decide to appoint the former Boro boss, especially as his clear admiration for Karanka and previous desire to move to Elland Road perhaps hints that he would be more than open to the idea of joining Leeds this summer.
Show Comments
List page image © REUTERS
