Leeds United man endures cruelly ironic Euro 2024 howler after dubbing Elland Road exit a 'necessary step' — YEP 17/6/24

-

By Joe Donnohue

Leeds United defender Max Wober made headlines during Austria's Euro 2024 opener against France - but for all the wrong reasons.

Wober started the game for Ralf Rangnick's side at the Düsseldorf Arena in Germany, playing as the left-sided centre-back and managed to keep a star-studded France side at bay for the majority of the first half.

Shortly before half-time, though, Wober had the misfortune of heading Kylian Mbappe's cross into his own net beyond goalkeeper Patrick Pentz to give Les Bleus the lead.

The moment represented a cruel irony given Wober's reasoning for leaving Elland Road on loan last summer to Bundesliga outfit Borussia Monchengladbach. The 26-year-old posted a message to Leeds supporters on social media last July after his move had been confirmed, stating it was his desire to be selected for the European Championships that motivated his decision to depart West Yorkshire following relegation, just six months on from joining the club.

“I'm telling you with a very heavy heart that I’m leaving Leeds United for coming season on loan. I’m forever grateful for the support you gave me from the minute I set foot on Elland Road. It really means a lot to me. I totally understand the disappointment with some of you. But for me it is a necessary step to show myself at the highest level and to be able to secure a spot in the national team of Austria for the Euros in 2024. I can only wish the club all the best during the time that I’m away, I’ll be supporting you no matter what, wherever I go,” Wober wrote.

The defender was also shown a yellow card during the 16th minute of Austria's encounter with France for a late challenge on Ousmane Dembele and subsequently substituted before the hour mark.

At half-time, ITV Sport pundits Roy Keane and Gary Neville described Wober's own goal as a 'mess in the middle' and an example of 'really poor defending'.

Wober remains contracted to Leeds and will be expected to return to Thorp Arch ahead of the 2024/25 Championship campaign if a second successive loan move or permanent exit cannot be agreed before the beginning of pre-season.

Popular posts from this blog

The huge initial fee Leeds are set to receive for Crysencio Summerville’s move to West Ham — Leeds United News 31/7/24

-
Will Butcher West Ham United are closing in on a deal to sign Crysencio Summerville from Leeds United, and Ben Jacobs has shared how much Leeds will receive for the Dutchman. The 22-year-old has been strongly linked with the Elland Road exit door all summer and was targeted as the one big sale Leeds needed to make before the Profit & Sustainability Rules deadline this month. But instead, Leeds sold Archie Gray for £40m to Tottenham. Leeds have since sold five more players in the form of Diego Llorente, Marc Roca, Kris Klaesson and Charlie Cresswell – raking in around £60m in total. But more exits were always likely and Fabrizio Romano reported on Wednesday afternoon that West Ham had agreed personal terms with Summerville, and talks for a fee were ongoing with the Yorkshire side. Now, the story has moved on with multiple sources claiming a deal is done between Leeds and Angus Kinnear’s old club. The Dutchman is expected to sign a five-year at the London Stadium, until Jun...
Read more

Leeds United board break silence after transfer window with statement on upcoming Elland Road development — YEP 2/9/24

-
By Joe Donnohue Leeds United have confirmed supporters' commemorative stones at Elland Road's Centenary Square will be replaced free of charge in a bid to improve their longevity. Beginning next month, Leeds supporters' personalised stones will be replaced with exact replicas, courtesy of a new company, to ensure of a 'much better quality' installation. The work is expected to take around two months to complete. An official club statement confirmed 'three larger stones dedicated to former managers Don Revie, Howard Wilkinson and Marcelo Bielsa' will also be installed, 'similar to those located in Bremner Square', while additional space for supporters to purchase new stones has also been factored into the project. “The club have taken on board recent feedback from supporters on the stones at Centenary Square, and we are really happy that we can now announce that all of the stones will be replaced," chief executive Angus Kinnear confirmed,...
Read more

Leeds United transfer state of play as Whites knock back low bid and assert wing pair stance — YEP 3/7/24

-
By Graham Smyth Leeds United are not actively looking to cash in on Crysencio Summerville and Willy Gnonto and believe any further outgoing transfer business will be done on their terms. The Whites, who sold Archie Gray to Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday for £40m, expect that there will be continued interest in wing pair Summerville and Gnonto as the summer transfer window progresses. Summerville has been a target for Premier League side Brighton and Hove Albion but their interest has not yet materialised into a bid. The Albion did, however, send a £30m proposal for Georginio Rutter, which Elland Road chiefs rejected. Rutter is not expected to try and force an exit this summer and appears settled at Leeds after a far more positive second season in English football. The sale of Gray has helped put Leeds into a position where they do not need to sell star players and can dictate any moves that do happen. Club sources say they are not actively looking to sell the likes of Summerville o...
Read more