Daniel Farke appointment denied by Leeds United after ‘very impressive’ interviews but job now fits – Phil Hay
Leeds United had denied that Daniel Farke was the man they were trying to nail down as the new manager following the interview process but amid reports he is incoming he would “certainly fit”, is latest Phil Hay’s verdict.
The German is “expected” to be confirmed as the new man in charge at Elland Road [Daily Mail, 28 June] once the EFL ratifies the 49ers takeover from Andrea Radrizzani.
He appears to have overcome Scott Parker and Patrick Vieira in interviews, where he was seen as “very impressive”, with the Frenchman now heavily linked with the Strasbourg job [RMC Sport, 29 June], and Hay can see no reason why the former Norwich man won’t be the next boss.
On Friday’s podcast on The Square Ball (30 June, 13m 8s) host Dan Moylan said: “It’s going to be Farke isn’t it? We all know it.”
Hay replied: “Last Friday before I went on holiday somebody who is involved in the process external of the club said that their understanding was that Leeds were trying to nail down a deal with Farke specifically.
“The club denied that at the time and said it was still open, they were still considering what to do to make a final decision after the interviews but there has obviously been more in the way of reports this week saying that it will be Farke.
“As we’ve said all along he’s been right in the thick of it, he was one of the interviewees, he was somebody who they found very impressive in the initial Zoom calls, and as we’ve said all along it would certainly fit wouldn’t it?”
Chosen one
Throughout the latest drawn out Leeds United managerial appointment there have been a few surges of expectation towards the likes of Steven Gerrard, Carlos Corberan, Andoni Iraola and Vieira.
But throughout Farke has been prominent in the mix and has arguably made the most sense of all, given his previous record in the Championship.
The hold up to actually name him is therefore all the more frustrating since it certainly appears that the job has had his name on it for a while.
As Hay has explained, Andrea Radrizzani’s input is next to zero currently but officially he is still in charge so any managerial appointment is technically his until the EFL gives the green light.
And since the Italian and the 49ers between them bear much of the responsibility for the wait it looks like there is little that can be done until that arrives.
The logic behind the Farke appointment, assuming there is no late drama that throws a spanner in the works, seems sound for this season at the very least, but his arrival is typically Leeds United in the way it couldn’t possibly be smooth.
The club’s past and future owners could have avoided this if they had sorted the sale ahead of time in the event of a relegation that looked increasingly inevitable, so they have backed up subsequent work and made things tricky.
Whether it is within days or the wait goes on longer, getting the right man in the dug-out is key so this at least appears to be a good decision, whatever else comes next.
In other Leeds United news, the surprise decision has been made to strengthen a Championship rival with a talented Elland Road player.