The heart to heart Garry Monk had with defender days before Sheffield Wednesday sacking

“Everyone thinks that career trajectory just goes up and up,” said Garry Monk in his last media appearance as Sheffield Wednesday manager. “But you do have tough moments too.”
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Though he was discussing the progress of Julian Börner, it was an almost prophetic point to make as the floodlights flickered on his final match as Owls boss. Two days later, Monk was sacked after a turbulent 14 months at Hillsborough.

The now former Wednesday boss was a manager praised by several players for his attention to detail throughout his time at the club. Offering clarity, many said, was one of his attributes.

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Monk started centre-half Börner way down in the selection pecking order earlier this season, behind rookie youngster Liam Shaw among others, but injuries and suspensions offered the German a way back in, leaving Monk impressed with his ability to fight back.

That battling mentality is one that new manager Tony Pulis has already said is something he wants to see from his new charges.

Revealing a little about a private meeting he’d had with Börner the day before Wednesday’s last outing, a 0-0 draw with Millwall, Monk said: “Everyone understands. We’re all professionals.

"We all have good and bad moments but your mentality as a professional should always be to do what's right.

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“I spoke to Julian, prior to the game, about careers. You're in three situations; you're either playing, on the bench or you're not in the squad.

Former Sheffield Wednesday boss Garry Monk left Julian Borner with advice. Pic Steve EllisFormer Sheffield Wednesday boss Garry Monk left Julian Borner with advice. Pic Steve Ellis
Former Sheffield Wednesday boss Garry Monk left Julian Borner with advice. Pic Steve Ellis

“If you keep your behaviour as it should be, in any of those situations, that's where you need to keep it. I think he's been brilliant.

“I spoke about what I wanted from him in terms of concentration. There has been a little bit of being erratic in his game at certain times.”

It is advice that Börner will no doubt be keen to take into his career under Pulis, who looks to have inherited something of an injury crisis in the back line.

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Having taken to English football excellently in his opening weeks at Wednesday, he began to find life difficult as mistakes crept into his game more and more.

The 29-year-old has started the Owls’ last four matches, though, and appears to be back on track, with Monk commenting that the spell was the best he’d seen in his time at the club.

In his parting shot, Monk said: “It's about being more simple at times and keeping that aggression that he has.

“If he does that I think we'll have a good defender. I wanted more of that earlier in the season, but what he's done is he’s got his head down, listened and got his opportunity.

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“For me, the last three games, that's the best I've seen Julian play in my time at the club.

“That was typified against Millwall. He came running off to get his head bandaged.

“Some footballers won't get it right. They may sulk or take the wrong advice. If anyone is going to tell you the truth then it's the manager. He needs the player to perform.

“Julian has taken that advice and has reacted brilliantly. His challenge now is whether he can maintain it.”

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