Leeds United fans seem happy Mateusz Klich looks set to return to the club after a spell on loan with FC Utrecht, and they may also be happy with how honest the player is on why he thinks things went wrong for him at Elland Road.
When the midfielder arrived in Utrecht he said his aim was to achieve European football for the club, and there were claims in the Dutch media that a permanent move could be on the cards, despite the Eredivisie club having no buying clause.
Things have changed, and whilst Klich may have once thought about a longer stay in the Netherlands, he’s now eager to return. A lot of that seems to be down to the departure of Thomas Christiansen.
With a Barcelona background, it was thought the manager would have Leeds United playing well, but Klich believes that all went out the window when times got tough.
In a lengthy interview with Voetbal International the midfielder explained: “In the midfield I slipped and lost the ball, after which we conceded a goal. Then the coach refused to pick me, because of one mistake that I couldn’t do much about. I became very angry with him after that and it was over for me for Leeds. I wouldn’t play anymore under that coach.”
Klich also made it clear that Victor Orta had explained there’d be stylish football played at Leeds: “When I came to Leeds, the technical director told me that we would play well. But when we had a bad period after a good start, we threw everything overboard. Suddenly we played typical Championship football and that doesn’t suit me, I belong in a team that wants to have the ball.”
Playing on the right side of a diamond for Utrecht, Klich thinks it has helped his game, and he can be like a new signing for Paul Heckingbottom: “I am looking forward to a new opportunity at Leeds, which I will also get. My contract runs for another two years and the club wants me back. For the new trainer I am like a new purchase, I can prove myself again.
“The level I can handle, I know that for sure. Especially now that I have become more mature in my game. The most important thing is that I get the chance to play a few matches. I want to show myself in Leeds. And if that doesn’t work? Yes, then maybe I’ll come back to the Eredivisie one more time.”
