Max Wober shares update on Leeds United future after ‘really bad’ situation at Elland Road
Leeds United loanee Max Wober has labelled himself as a “passenger” amid questions over his future at Elland Road.
The Austrian has not ruled out a move back to Yorkshire but would be open to a permanent move to the Bundesliga with his loan club.
Wober departed the club on loan after Leeds suffered a “really bad” relegation from the Premier League last season, expressing that he “wouldn’t wish that feeling on any footballer” but is set to return to England at the end of the campaign.
“Leeds are playing really good football at the moment and it looks like I’m taking a step back again,” he told German news outlet Kicker on 22 December.
“There are sporting directors and board members involved. If Leeds say I should go back, I’ll be back. If Gladbach put down so much money that it suits Leeds, then I’m there. I’m more like a passenger.”
High ambitions
When explaining his decision to leave the club on loan, he cited Austria’s manager Ralf Rangnick, who requires his players to be at the “highest level”. With the aim of making Austria’s EURO 2024 squad, Wober took his future into his own hands.
In 17 appearances so far this season, the 25-year-old has scored once and assisted two more goals. With his performances in the Bundesliga, he could offer Daniel Farke a defensive solution at full-back.
Junior Firpo’s injury history, Sam Byram’s age and Djed Spence’s inexperience are all major worries for Farke. But Wober could mean that Leeds do not need to dip into the transfer market for a new defender, with the Austrian contracted at the club until 2027.
It would be a shame to see Wober leave Elland Road already, having arrived from RB Salzburg in January 2023 and only making 19 appearances. But there is no point in keeping the player if he wants to be elsewhere.
In other Leeds United news, Joe Rodon has responded to a permanent Whites move in a January transfer window question.