“Leeds wanted to keep him” – Manager on Whites’ failed efforts to retain player, backs his transfer decision

On Monday, Leeds United announced that Maximilian Wöber has completed a loan move to Borussia Mönchengladbach.

The Whites took the defender from Red Bull Salzburg in January, to improve their chances of avoiding relegation from the Premier League. That didn’t work out and subsequently several Leeds players have already left Elland Road.

Wöber is the latest to leave and Austria manager Ralf Rangnick has said Leeds were keen on retaining him to help them return to the top flight.

“Leeds wanted to keep him and return to the Premier League with him, but he decided to move to Gladbach,” he said, as quoted by Laola1.

The centre-back’s contract with the Championship side runs down in 2027 and he’ll have to return to Leeds next summer after a loan spell with the Bundesliga side. The 25-year-old isn’t the only Austrian to change clubs in the past few days.

Last week, Marcel Sabitzer left Bayern Munich to join Borussia Dortmund on a permanent deal.

The former Manchester United coach has revealed both the Leeds player and the former Bayern man approached him before they completed their transfers.

“I was in contact with the boys and sometimes one or the other club asked me. I think it’s a good thing for both of them. I see good chances for both of them to play there,” Rangnick explained, as relayed by Kurier.