Max Wober has admitted he is happy to be away from Leeds United for the time being following a difficult period that led to the club’s relegation.
Wober was speaking in an interview with Kicker while away on international duty with Austria, where he explained how this has enabled him to focus on other things after Leeds’ relegation.
The 25-year-old made the switch from Red Bull Salzburg in January in a deal said to be worth in the region of £10 million.
Despite Leeds’ need for a left back in the winter window, Wober was actually brought into play central defence and made a decent impact early on.
However, as Leeds fell apart in the final weeks of the season, as did Wober’s form, with his needless penalty concession in the 2-2 draw with Newcastle United a particular frustration.
Wober happy to be away from ‘tense’ Leeds environment
Having accumulated six points from their first two matches, Austria’s credentials for qualifying for next summer’s EUROs will be handed the ultimate test as they face matches with Belgium and Sweden.
Despite the pressure that comes with playing for your country, Wober has admitted ‘everything feels more free’ while away with Austria, than it was at Leeds.
He said: “Everything feels more free. It’s good for me that I can concentrate on other things again. We just didn’t manage to win the important games. Everything was tense in a way.”
Leeds are set to return for pre-season training at the beginning of July and while several players are expected to move on, Wober is one they want to keep.
While relegation is, of course, painful, time away on international duty will allow players like Wober to forget about it and come back refreshed for a promotion push, under a new manager, with new ideas.
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