GARRY MONK insists leaving Leeds United at the end of last season had nothing to do with his decision to take on the challenge of reviving Middlesbrough’s fortunes in the summer.

Monk is guaranteed a hostile reception when he heads to Elland Road tomorrow lunch-time for the first time since quitting, with plenty Leeds supporters angry with the way he left after just one season in charge.

But the 38-year-old has defended his resignation in West Yorkshire by claiming it was purely down to circumstance and that the chance to take over at the Riverside Stadium cropped up afterwards.

And, while admitting his focus this weekend on is preparing Middlesbrough as they look to claim a fourth successive win, he thinks it was wrong for people to assume the two decisions were linked.

Monk said: "You can’t stop people talking and making things up. In that situation you have to make a decision as a manager. I wanted to be a manager, I wanted a long term project and I expected that commitment from the club. From myself I never felt that intention at all. It put me in a difficult position, so you have to be strong and clear.

“The other side of that is that Leeds and Middlesbrough were two totally separate situations. I left Leeds, I was then a manager out of work and I went away on holiday. During that holiday week, I spoke to my agent and told him he needed to do his job and for him speak to me when I got back.

“When I came back he told me about the clubs who were interested. Middlesbrough was one of those, and as soon as I spoke with them the rest is history. Two totally separate situations but you can’t stop people from saying something different. That’s the truth of it.”

The timings certainly stack up. Monk quit Leeds on May 25 and it was not until June 9 when he was appointed as Middlesbrough manager.

The former Swansea manager had impressed during his time at Elland Road, even if ultimately he was left frustrated when Leeds dropped out of the play-off places in the final stages of the season.

A play-off place would have been beyond expectations, so he was looking for greater security having only signed an initial one-year deal – although Leeds were keen to exercise a second-year option so he decided to resign.

Monk said: “It was difficult. I expected to be there longer than one season, I signed a one year contract and had the option of one year. After the season we had, if you strip it back and go right back to the start of it, there was never any expectation from anyone that thought we would be near the play-offs.

“The fact we were made it disappointing in the end. But the fact is the job we did, with things in place, it was the plan to take that second season and make it a promotion season. Make it a charge to the automatic places. That was what we believed in and so should everyone at the club.

“The reason I left was because I wanted that long term project, I wanted to take that on, and I felt there was never any intention of a long term contract so I could take that on to be a long term project.

“That was the reason I left. Of course I was disappointed, I expected discussions to come sooner and when they did that was the feeling I had. That was not a position I wanted to put myself and my staff in.

“My memories of Leeds United are special, and if people want to sour those then that’s fine for them. It doesn’t really bother me if I am honest and I will cherish those.”

Much has changed at Leeds since then, including new ownership and management, and after a strong start to the campaign they have slipped to seven defeats in eight matches.

Monk is only focused on what he wants to deliver as Middlesbrough boss, and he has explained why he thinks he made the right choice in opting for Teesside with the opportunity cropped up.

He said: “It’s been excellent and it’s a great club to work for. I knew that and having sat down with the owner, the people at the club, I knew the feeling I had.

"Having that long term project is something I believe in and having an owner like Middlesbrough has allows you to work towards that … even if I also understand the shorter term goals.

“The everyday message here has been very clear, they know the plan we have. Outwardly the only answer you have is results and those persuade people different things, but I think people can see how hard everyone is working to deliver the results.

“It’s a long hard road though. You have to stay balanced. There will be ups and downs and you have to handle those and come through the sticky patches as they come along.”

Middlesbrough head to Leeds without the suspended full-back Cyrus Christie, so Monk is debating whether to start with Connor Roberts or Fabio da Silva at right-back. Whatever team he names, he is not expecting out-of-sorts Leeds to be an easy ride.

Monk said: “This league you can have a bad week and drop down so many places, but you can have a good week and jump up so many places. There’s still a lot of football to be played, it’s how you come through it. It’s a very difficult league.

“Their situation, run of form, is not my concern. We want to keep our run going and accumulate points to move up the table.

“My experience of Elland Road is fantastic. We have to try to use that to our advantage. The home fans have to deal with that atmospheric ground as well, because it can be difficult to deal with. They will be behind Leeds so we have to enjoy that as well.

“Leeds have changed a lot since I was there. They have added more quality to what we had last season. That brings different problems to solve, but how they approach things is a new manager and new ideas. We are prepared for that.”