The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Wednesday 5th July) Farke had to be convinced to take ER hot-seat
Good Morning. It's Wednesday 5th July, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
Farke had to be convinced to take ER hot-seat
Speaking candidly after his Elland Road inauguration, Daniel Farke stated that he had to be convinced that the club shared his vision for achieving success, before accepting the Managers role.
Whilst the magnitude of the opportunity was never up for debate, the 46yo wanted to make sure that the owners, board and coaches were fully behind him, and shared the same ideas, in order to move forward.
It brings an end to weeks of speculation, as Farke prepares to take his first training session with his new squad on Wednesday. Currently, the squad are being put through their paces by experts at the £45m sporting hi-tech facility at Leeds Beckett University in Headingley.
Players are comprehensively being tested over two days, including cardiac screens, weigh-ins, blood checks, body composition measurements, eye exams, assessments of gait, jump performance and muscle strength.
To take over this task at such a big, emotional club with so many expectations, it is key people are on the same page: owners, board, sporting department. It is important to get a feeling for each other and that we agree on our visions of what has to be done to bring success.
They had to convince me to take this role. No one had to convince me about the potential and size of the club. But what was important for me was that I was convinced by the people here. They had to have the same ideas and vision as me. Soon as I got this feeling, I thought this was an interesting project. I am grateful and humble all the key people shared more of the same views.
Everything won't be perfect - Farke
Daniel Farke has stated that quick decisions need to be made, but even then, 'everything won't be perfect' when Leeds kick off their Championship season against Cardiff City in 32 days. The 46yo also spoke of creating a solid foundation, and installing unity back in the players, but admitted that valuable time had been lost due to the takeover. Even so, he is confident, he'll have a 'good' team by the time the Summer transfer window slams shut on September 1st.
Our situation is more complicated than other clubs as we have to start later because of the takeover. Everything won’t be perfect in four weeks, but we need to create a solid foundation,” “We need to make some good and quick decisions, there are several to make for the group of players.
The transfer window will end on the final day so it will be a busy two months, but I’m confident we’ll have a good team at the end. We have to work quickly to get to the heads and the hearts of the players and to build unity. That is what we will be working on.
Leeds did not have the foresight to prepare for relegation
Despite his good reputation, and proven track record of promotion from the Championship, former Leeds Captain Gordon Strachan fears Daniel Farke has his work cut out if he is going to win promotion with Leeds Utd next season.
The fiery Scot labelled Norwich City (a team he won promotion with, in 19/20 and 21/22) as being a stable club with a wage structure, no huge players or egos, and questioned how Farke would fare with some of the Leeds players! Strachan also lambasted the Leeds hierarchy for not having the foresight to plan for relegation, even though they only stayed up by the skin of their teeth the previous season.
He did well at Norwich, he got them up. They played some nice football in the Championship and he has a good reputation. I’m pleased the club are looking at a manager with a proven track record of getting a team promoted from the Championship.
The problem is, the Norwich team that he managed, that was stable. Norwich was a stable club with a wage structure, no huge players or egos. He’s now going to a club where some of the players are on massive wages. I doubt he would have ever managed players that are being paid as much as some of the Leeds squad.
Some clubs can manage that process better than others. For example, if you look at the likes of Burnley, they have had the foresight to plan for relegation and are ready to bounce back when it does happen. I don’t think anybody at Leeds saw this coming despite the club staying up by the skin of their teeth last season. It’s poor planning.