The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Friday 30th June) - Farke to take Elland Road reins once takeover completed
Good Morning. It's Friday 30th June, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
Farke to take Elland Road reins once takeover completed
Manager in-waiting Daniel Farke was given the guided tour around Thorp Arch yesterday as he gets to grips with the mammoth task that awaits him. The 46yo agreed personal terms with Angus Kinnear days ago, but won't be officially unveiled until the takeover has been concluded.
Leeds Director of Medicine Rob Price will take the entire squad on their annual pilgrimage to Leeds Beckett University early next week, where the players will spend several days undergoing rigorous pre-season health and medical screening, followed by physical performance profiling.
Should the takeover not be concluded thereafter, Michael Skubala will act as head coach in Farke's absence. Players who are expected to leave the club in the near future, have not been invited to attend.
Farke is well respected within football circles. Jurgen Klopp once said "I like Daniel a lot, he's a really good guy. He's a world-class coach, and is doing a really good job." He won promotion twice at Carrow Road, topping the Championship both times, yet struggled to keep Norwich afloat in the top flight, finishing bottom in 19/20. After re-gaining promotion the following season, he was eventually sacked in September 2021 after losing 15th consecutive games.
AC Milan enquire about Sinisterra
Leeds have slapped a £21.5m price tag on Luis Sinisterra, following interest from AC Milan. According to 'TuttoMercatoWeb', the Italian giants have asked their West Yorkshire counterparts for information regarding both his contract, and availability.
The Colombian International's first season at Elland Road was marred by injuries, yet looked more than capable when fit. In 20 appearances, the former Feyenoord star found the back of the net five times, and always looked dangerous in advanced area's. He prefers to play as an inverted winger (right footed but plays on the left, allowing him to cut inside and boost attacking options).
Gnonto wants to remain in the Premier League
Wilfred Gnonto is set to quit Elland Road this Summer, once the Under 21 European Championship are out of the way according to his agent Claudio Vigorelli. The 19 year old, a £4m signing from FC Zurich on Deadline Day last Summer, proved to be a sensational signing. He was signed as a player for the future, yet broke into the first team line up, only weeks after joining.
His form dropped off slightly after returning from an ankle injury he sustained on International duty with Italy at the end of March, but had already made his mark on the Premier League (and the Leeds faithful) by then. Leeds are very much in the driving seat as far as negotiations go. Gnonto has four years remaining on his contract, and if he is to leave, Leeds will want circa £30m for his services. According to Claudio Vigorelli...
We’re focused on the Under 21 European Championship, then we’ll talk to Leeds and we’ll see. There’s no shortage of options. But given his experience in the Premier Fantastic League, the idea would be to continue in that direction.