Here are the latest Leeds United headlines on Monday, June 19.
Illan Meslier rival details Euros battle
Illan Meslier will be hoping to put what was a tough season behind him later this month when the European U21s Championship gets underway. The Leeds United stopper, who found himself dropped from the first-team when Sam Allardyce was parachuted into the head coach role with four games of the season remaining, is up against Lille goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier for a place in the starting XI.
Speaking to French outlet La Voix du Nord, Chevalier says he believes Meslier's club issues will not prevent him from being named first choice for the French.
“He’s been there for three years and he’s an important part of the group," he said. "He’s one of the three captains. Despite the fact that I’ve come out of two great seasons as a professional and he didn’t finish the season with Leeds and that they went down, people think it’s balancing out. Honestly, I think he’ll play and he’s a senior member. I respect this decision.
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“I talked about it with Illan, who is cool and not someone to boast. Nothing is impossible. I’m getting ready and I won’t be surprised to be second choice. He started the campaign and he will finish it. The coach has confidence in him and it’s not because he hasn’t played the last six games with Leeds that he will no longer count on him. We must not forget everything that was done before.”
Bournemouth appoint former Leeds United manager target Andoni Iraola
Former Leeds United managerial target Andoni Iraola has been appointed as the new head coach of Bournemouth. The Whites held talks with the former Rayo Vallecano boss as a prospective replacement for Jesse Marsch in February, only for the 40-year-old to opt to remain with Rayo Vallecano.
Iraola's three-year stint with the La Liga side ended this summer following an impressive 11th-placed finish. Now, the former Leeds target will get his first taste of the Premier League after being unveiled as Gary O'Neil's successor with the Cherries on Monday afternoon.
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Bournemouth owner and chairman Bill Foley told the club's website: "We're so excited to welcome Andoni to the club. With his contract in Spain coming to an end this summer we wanted to act quickly.
Ex-Leeds United star Gjanni Alioski ready for 'special moment' against England
Former Leeds United cult hero Gjanni Alioski says returning to UK soil for North Macedonia's Euro 2024 qualifier against England at Old Trafford will be a 'special moment' for him and his international teammates.
Alioski left Leeds in the summer of 2021 following the Whites' ninth-place Premier League finish under Marcelo Bielsa, turning the page on a four-year stint in West Yorkshire during which his infectious personality earned him a special place in the hearts of both supporters and his teammates.
A year-long stay at Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli was followed by a move to Fenerbahce, with whom he won the Turkish Cup with this season. Alioski has remained a key part of the North Macedonia side and he will now be hoping to feature against the Three Lions and could come up against his former Leeds teammate Kalvin Phillips.
Speaking ahead of Monday night's Group C clash, the 31-year-old spoke about what the match will mean for him and his side.
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