Sol Bamba: There were Leeds players who said suspending Thompson was right
Here is the City 4/5/15
Dan Coombs
Leeds United's Sol Bamba has confirmed the dressing room was split over Steve Thompson's suspension.
Leeds United defender Sol Bamba has confirmed the club's dressing room was split by the controversial decision to suspend assistant boss Steve Thompson.
The Ivory Coast defender told Yahoo Eurosport that while he was upset by Thompson's removal from duties, some others in the side did not feel the same way.
Speculation of dressing room unrest have circulated, but this is the first time a player within the squad has spoken about the split as a result of the big decision made by sporting director Nicola Salerno.
He said: "I think everyone recognised what he (Thompson) was doing at the club and I was affected more than the other ones because I knew him from my time in Leicester, and I can't hide my feelings.
"When some things are bad, I say. We had a few chats when he left, some of the players think it was the right decision and fine, and I think it wasn't."
While discussing a minority rather than a majority of the dressing room, it's clear that a squad which had looked in sync during March, a highlight being a 3-1 away win a Fulham, had their balance distorted by Thompson's suspension.
Leeds went onto lose five consecutive league games after his suspension, with head coach Neil Redfearn left without his closest ally, while his own contractual status remains unresolved.
Bamba did not name the players who felt Thompson's suspension was the right move, but fans of the club are likely to have an inkling as to those he may be referring to.
Dan Coombs
Leeds United's Sol Bamba has confirmed the dressing room was split over Steve Thompson's suspension.
Leeds United defender Sol Bamba has confirmed the club's dressing room was split by the controversial decision to suspend assistant boss Steve Thompson.
The Ivory Coast defender told Yahoo Eurosport that while he was upset by Thompson's removal from duties, some others in the side did not feel the same way.
Speculation of dressing room unrest have circulated, but this is the first time a player within the squad has spoken about the split as a result of the big decision made by sporting director Nicola Salerno.
He said: "I think everyone recognised what he (Thompson) was doing at the club and I was affected more than the other ones because I knew him from my time in Leicester, and I can't hide my feelings.
"When some things are bad, I say. We had a few chats when he left, some of the players think it was the right decision and fine, and I think it wasn't."
While discussing a minority rather than a majority of the dressing room, it's clear that a squad which had looked in sync during March, a highlight being a 3-1 away win a Fulham, had their balance distorted by Thompson's suspension.
Leeds went onto lose five consecutive league games after his suspension, with head coach Neil Redfearn left without his closest ally, while his own contractual status remains unresolved.
Bamba did not name the players who felt Thompson's suspension was the right move, but fans of the club are likely to have an inkling as to those he may be referring to.