Simon Grayson can’t believe ‘mad’ turn of events for ex-Leeds star after what he saw at Elland Road
Simon Grayson has been left surprised by a situation involving his former club Leeds United.
The 56-year-old came through the Leeds academy as a player, and returned as a manager in 2008, spending just over three years in charge at Elland Road before being sacked.
Grayson urged the Whites to give current boss Daniel Farke time back in December while the West Yorkshire side were struggling near the relegation zone, and his advice has been validated recently.
Leeds’ 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest on Friday evening means they have only lost two of their last 13 games across all competitions, and are now six points clear of the bottom three.
Simon Grayson highlights ‘mad’ Kalvin Phillips situation
Like Grayson, Kalvin Phillips came through the Leeds academy, making 214 league appearances for the senior side before leaving for Manchester City in the summer of 2022.
Since his departure though, the 30-year-old has failed to get anywhere near the heights he hit during his time at Elland Road.
Across the last three and a half seasons, the midfielder has only managed 43 league appearances in total, with only 16 of those actually coming for Man City.
After recent loan spells at West Ham United and Ipswich Town, Phillips completed a move to Sheffield United in the winter transfer window.
He will remain with the Championship side until the end of the season, as he looks to rediscover some form.
Writing in The Football League Paper, Grayson revealed that he couldn’t believe what had happened to Phillips.
He said: “As a Leeds fan, I’d seen Kalvin flourish under the management of Marcelo Bielsa.
“If you’d have told me four years ago that Phillips would be back in the Championship at 30, I’d have said you were mad.”
Could Leeds have signed Kalvin Phillips?
Phillips has been consistently linked with a return to Leeds over the past few years, as he has struggled to find his feet at Man City.
Once again, the idea of the England international moving back to Elland Road was touted ahead of the winter transfer window.
However, the simple fact is that Farke doesn’t need Phillips at the moment, given the recent performances of other midfielders.
Ethan Ampadu has been one of the first names on the teamsheet across the last few months, and Ilia Gruev was immense against Forest on Friday evening.
Phillips may play for the Whites at some point before he retires, but currently, he wouldn’t get near the starting lineup.