The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Thursday 30th October) Jonny Howson: Coming Home to Leeds United
Good Morning. It's Thursday 30th October, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road
Jonny Howson: Coming Home to Leeds United
Jonny Howson has been been speaking to Beren Cross from the New York Times, about life back at Leeds Utd, albeit head coach of the Under U21's. It marks a full-circle moment steeped in pride, purpose, and continuity. Thirteen years after leaving Elland Road, the boy from Morley has stepped back through the gates not as the midfield general who once captained Leeds to promotion, but as a mentor guiding the next generation of Whites through their own footballing journeys. After nearly two decades as a professional and 754 senior appearances across Leeds, Norwich, and Middlesbrough, Howson is beginning a new chapter as a player-coach for the club’s under-21s.
Leeds supporters remember him as one of their own: a hard‑working local lad who wore his heart on his sleeve. The image of Howson leading Leeds out, three miles from where he grew up, remains etched into club folklore. Now 37, the same sense of belonging draws him back to West Yorkshire, but this time with a whistle around his neck rather than the captain’s armband. His return was first hinted at in a simple but symbolic gesture: his brother Daniel’s Facebook post showing a training top marked “JH.” For Leeds fans, that was enough to spark waves of nostalgia and excitement.
Howson’s transition into coaching isn’t a leap in the dark. Whilst at Boro, he quietly earned his UEFA B Licence, and his mind was already turning toward life after playing. When Leeds' under‑21s head coach Scott Gardner mentioned a potential opportunity, it felt like fate calling him home. “When you’re going into something new, it’s a bit daunting,” Howson admitted in his recent interview, “but there was excitement because it’s Leeds, what the club means to me.” That blend of apprehension and pride captures exactly what this new role represents: a challenge embraced out of love.
Though coaching now takes up his days, Howson’s approach remains grounded in the values that defined his career, work ethic, humility, and commitment. He knows that his playing reputation can open doors, but respect in coaching must be earned anew. “Past playing experiences take me so far,” he says, emphasizing that the real task lies in proving himself as a mentor. He wants his players to see not only the former Leeds captain but a coach who genuinely cares about their growth, who stays late to talk through a tactical detail or a bit of career advice.
In shaping his coaching philosophy, Howson draws from those who influenced him: Alex Neil’s clarity and tactical precision at Norwich, and Michael Carrick’s analytical calm at Middlesbrough. Those experiences have molded him into someone who values simplicity, clear communication, and connection. Still, beneath the tactical frameworks and training schedules, his core motivation is emotional, a desire to give back to the club that gave him everything.
Leeds have always prided themselves on their academy, a pipeline of talent rooted in Yorkshire grit. With Howson now helping to shape its next wave, the story feels right. The lad from Morley, who guided Leeds out of the third tier, has returned to help make new dreams possible. For the ER faithful, it isn’t just about nostalgia, it’s about legacy.
Italian giants preparing Gnonto bids
With the January transfer window looming, Leeds United find themselves at a crossroads, with Italian giants Juventus and Inter Milan reportedly circling young winger Wilfried Gnonto. The promising Italy international, once regarded as one of Leeds’ brightest attacking prospects, now faces an uncertain future in West Yorkshire. While his raw ability and fearless style of play have endeared him to fans, a combination of injuries and fierce competition has limited him to just 194 minutes of league football this season. For a player eager to secure regular minutes ahead of next year’s World Cup, the lure of returning to Serie A, and perhaps a more consistent role, could prove difficult to resist.
For Leeds, however, the situation is as much about financial strategy as footballing ambition. The club’s hierarchy is well aware that reinforcements are needed if they are to stay clear of the relegation battle and preserve their Premier League status. At the same time, the reality of Financial Fair Play regulations means that room must be made, both in the squad and on the balance sheet, before significant new signings can be pursued. Selling Gnonto could provide such an opportunity. With his market value hovering around £25 million, a transfer deal of that magnitude could go a long way toward funding two or three crucial additions to Daniel Farke’s squad.
Yet, as is often the case in football, the deal is not straightforward. Leeds are reportedly hampered by a substantial sell-on clause; believed to be as high as 40%, owed to FC Zürich, Gnonto’s former club. Former player-turned-journalist Kay Voser told the Breakfast Debate that the Swiss club’s president personally describing it as “extraordinarily high.” If accurate, such terms could make the financial benefits of selling Gnonto considerably less appealing for Leeds, forcing the club to weigh immediate reinvestment needs against long-term potential.
For the ER faithful, the situation stirs mixed emotions. Gnonto’s flashes of brilliance have offered glimpses of what could have been; a fearless young forward capable of changing games in an instant. But as the January market looms, Leeds must consider the bigger picture. Balancing ambition, financial responsibility, and the dream of stability in England’s top flight, the club faces a pivotal decision. Whether Gnonto remains part of that journey or becomes a stepping stone toward its continuation, the coming weeks promise to test both Leeds United’s resolve and their vision for the future.
Joffy playing massive part in Hull's play off push
Joe Gelhardt’s resurgence at Hull City has been one of the Championship’s most captivating storylines this season, and one that Leeds United fans will watch with mixed emotions. Once heralded as one of the brightest young forwards at Elland Road, Gelhardt’s opportunities dried up and left on the bench to rot. A loan move was the natural next step, and as it turns out, Hull has proven to be the perfect platform for the 23‑year‑old to rediscover his spark.
Last season, Gelhardt made an instant impression at the MKM Stadium, scoring five goals in 20 appearances and helping the Tigers maintain stability in a turbulent campaign. His return on a second loan spell this summer has only underlined his progression; sharper, more confident, and with a clearer sense of identity on the pitch, he has become central to Sergej Jakirovic’s attacking system. Deployed predominantly on the right flank, Gelhardt’s blend of direct running, sharp interplay, and clinical finishing has lifted Hull to the cusp of the play‑off places. With five goals and an assist in just a dozen league appearances, his productivity has made him one of the division’s standout performers.
Yet, as his goals continue to flow, Whites fans can’t help but ponder what his form means for both clubs. While Leeds hold his contract until the summer of 2027, his performances have inevitably drawn fresh attention from potential suitors. Should his value continue to rise, the Yorkshire club could be tempted to recall and sell while his stock is high, a move that would benefit Leeds financially but could derail Hull’s momentum. For the Tigers, restricted by financial fair play constraints, the prospect of losing their in‑form winger mid‑season represents a genuine concern.
Joffy's success is a reminder of the talent nurtured at Elland Road, even if circumstances forced his opportunities elsewhere. Whether his future lies back in West Yorkshire or beyond, his performances in Hull’s amber and black show a player reborn; a confident, mature forward proving he still has a bright career ahead.