Leeds United in hunt to hire ‘excellent’ Stuart Webber in new behind-the-scenes appointment
We’re delighted to welcome former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson as our exclusive columnist as each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Leeds United…
Paul Robinson has backed a reported Daniel Farke and Stuart Webber reunion at Leeds United next season but expects their impact not to be unless they achieve promotion back to the Premier League.
Farke and Webber worked together at Norwich City, with Webber being the club’s sporting director. The pair worked together on a transfer strategy to mould Norwich into their vision. This saw star signings like Emi Buendia, who was brought in for a little over £1million, sold for big fees. £38million in Buendia’s case [The Athletic]
Webber has been linked with a reunion with Farke at his new side Leeds [Football Insider] after his departure from the Canaries, and this relationship could be reignited at Elland Road.
Meanwhile, Robinson claims that while this partnership could spell success for Leeds, it is not in the club’s best short-term interest to focus on low-cost high-profit targets just yet as Leeds’ priority must be promotion.
Speaking exclusively to MOT Leeds News, Robinson said: “I don’t think they’re looking long term, whether it’s a manager or sporting director. It’s very important that they have a relationship and an understanding together, you don’t other see a manager and a sporting director relationship work if they’ve been appointed separately or if they’re not a united team.
“I think having the unity and understanding will be important to them. But I also reiterate my other point about the manager not having the time to build the squad or develop players and to increase value in players.
“The remit at Leeds United is to win football matches and get out the Championship, this isn’t a long-term project for this manager, this isn’t a job for two-to-three years where they want him to build a young squad, with this style of football. He’s been brought in to get Leeds out of the Championship.
“You do that, then you buy yourself time in the job. His relationship with Stuart Webber could be good going forward. The sporting director role, the recruitment role allows the manager to manage on a daily basis and takes a lot away from him. A lot of office-type work and recruitment work away from him.
“If they have a good relationship with each other and if the sporting director knows what the manager wants and what style of football he wants to play, that side of things takes care of itself.
“Their good relationship is an excellent start.”
In other Leeds United news, Elland Road’s star player last season may be set to stay at the club after a shock revelation.