49ers contact pushed Steve Cooper at Leeds United for new job – Phil Hay
Phil Hay has shared that Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper was pushed for the Leeds United job before the appointment of Daniel Farke this summer.
Under Farke, Leeds are on their best home run in over a decade, completing wins over Watford, QPR, Bristol City, Huddersfield Town, Plymouth Argyle, Swansea City and Middlesbrough.
However, things could have been very different at Elland Road following their relegation from the Premier League last season, with someone close to the 49ers suggesting a move for Cooper from Forest instead.
Writing for The Athletic on Sunday (3 November), Hay said: “One person with recruitment experience and a line of contact with Leeds’ new ownership group thought the club should have a bash at Nottingham Forest’s Steve Cooper, on the basis that Cooper had torn up the Championship very recently.
“It was also understood that the Welshman was under immense pressure at his current club, which could have persuaded him to move to West Yorkshire.
“However, the unanimous decision within the club was for Farke to take over.”
How different life could be
Following four years at Norwich City, Farke has built himself a reputation in the Championship as one of the best to claim promotion back to the promised land – the Premier League.
With the Whites sat in third on 38 points, seven points behind Ipswich Town and eight behind league leaders Leicester City, promotion is a very real possibility after just one season in the second tier.
Claiming vital wins over those aforementioned teams, a thrilling 4-3 win at Portman Road and a tight 1-0 result at the King Power Stadium, Leeds are in the driving seat despite playing catch-up.
Although beating Leicester and Ipswich to the automatic promotion spots currently seems unlikely, there is still over half the season yet to play. Anything could happen, and under Farke, there seems to be positivity rolling around Elland Road.
The Whites will need to become much more consistent away from home if they are to keep up the chase, dropping points to the likes of Rotherham United, Stoke City and Southampton.
Cooper is a brilliant manager, leading Forest to Premier League safety and beginning to build a much stronger squad. But Leeds fans will be happy to know the general consensus was that Farke would take the reigns, especially looking at the season so far.
In other Leeds United news, a fresh stance on one Whites loanee has emerged as West Ham, Crystal Palace and Fulham eye the player.