Daniel Farke aims ‘coach driver’ remark at Preston figure after Leeds draw
Daniel Farke slammed a member of the Preston North End coaching staff following his Leeds United side’s 1-1 draw at Deepdale on Saturday.
A Jack Whatmough own goal on 14 December salvaged a point for Leeds after Brad Potts’ first-half opener, with Farke booked for a touchline incident close to half-time.
The German claimed, as quoted by Graham Smyth of the Yorkshire Evening Post on X [14 December], that he had attempted to discuss the lack of second yellow card for Ben Whiteman for his challenge on Jayden Bogle with the fourth official, but was ushered away by a member of the Preston bench.
Farke said: “I never have a problem if we have an argument with Paul [Heckingbottom] or the fourth official, but what has never happened is that when I want to talk to a fourth official that a member of the opponents’ coaching staff wants to get me away. I thought this was respectless.
“I would have had an argument with Paul but it’s not possible that a member I don’t know, I didn’t know his name, maybe he was the coach driver, that I should sit.
“As manager of Leeds United, 200 games, I have achieved a bit.”
Leeds United momentarily go top of the Championship
It may not have been what Leeds envisaged when they arrived at Deepdale on Saturday morning, but they were fortunate in the end to take a point after raising their performance late in the day.
Mateo Joseph will do all he can to claim the crucial equalising touch in second-half stoppage time, having not scored since October, but it appeared that substitute defender Whatmough diverted the ball past his own goalkeeper.
Regardless, the point took Leeds back top of the Championship – albeit until Sheffield United had completed their match against Plymouth Argyle, with a point enough for the Blades to regain the upper hand.
Leeds lacked their trademark cutting edge at this level for large periods of the game and passed up key chances through both Brenden Aaronson and Patrick Bamford, while Dan James struck the crossbar.
They next take on Oxford United at Elland Road as a busy Christmas schedule commences.
In other Leeds news, Chris Iwelumo blasts Illan Meslier after what happened on Saturday.
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