Daniel Farke ‘angry with Ilia Gruev’ over moment involving Leeds United team-mate
Daniel Farke “reacted angrily” and had to give Ilia Gruev instructions after he forced Leeds United captain Ethan Ampadu into trouble against Coventry City, according to Graham Smyth.
Smyth reported in the Yorkshire Evening Post (6 February) that Farke fumed on the touchline when Gruev’s loose pass to Ampadu placed the Welshman in a completely needless physical duel.
Gruev, Ampadu and Ao Tanaka marshalled the midfield as United saw out a comfortable 2-0 win in the West Midlands, but the former was given a minute’s worth of instructions by Farke after the pass.
Farke not happy with Ilia Gruev in Coventry City win
“Farke reacting angrily to a slightly loose pass from Gruev that asked Ampadu to get into a physical duel that he otherwise wouldn’t have needed to go into,” Smyth wrote in his unseen moments article.
“The manager spent the next minute instructing Gruev on where the ball should have gone.”
Ilia Gruev boosts Leeds United starting chances v Coventry
Coming into the starting XI for Joe Rothwell in the only change from United’s 7-0 mauling of Cardiff four days prior, Gruev held his own in the engine room as he continues his recovery from long-term injury.
While Ampadu – whom he joined in the treatment room few days after the Welshman’s own injury in the reverse fixture against Coventry – has come straight back into the side, Gruev has faced a tougher path.
During the Bulgarian’s absence, Ao Tanaka and Joe Rothwell have formed a formidable partnership in the middle, with the Japanese international now one of the first names on the team-sheet.
Rothwell has been the player to drop out for the Ampadu and now Gruev after the pair returned to fitness, and Gruev’s display at the CBS Arena did no harm to his hopes of becoming a permanent fixture.
Unlike last season, Farke has an embarrassment of midfield riches at his disposal, and if Gruev takes his mid-game instructions on board going forward, he’ll soon find himself racking up the minutes again.
In other Leeds news, United have learned how much they’ll have to pay to sign one of this season’s loanees permanently.
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