George Overhill

Wed 5 July 2023 12:40, UK

Daniel Farke has spoken out on the importance of the Leeds United transfer window as a priority now that he has finally been announced as the new manager.

The former Norwich man was unveiled as boss at Elland Road on Tuesday (4 July) a full 32 days after it was made official that Sam Allardyce was leaving following relegation from the Premier League.

The transfer window has been open since 14 June [Sky Sports] and yet the Whites haven’t signed anybody, while a host of mooted departures are still being finalised, so the work in the market is now going to be key as the German gears up to make a run at a third Championship promotion, and he appears to be under no illusions regarding its importance.

Speaking to Sky Sports on Tuesday (4 July) the 47-year-old said: “I’ve worked long enough in this business that I know the season after relegation is always difficult because there is always a little bit of a hangover.

“We need to really get the transfer window right now and first of all it is to concentrate on good decisions.”

He said he needs to have a staff that is “highly-motivated to bounce back” to the Premier League and added: “The same with the group of players. We need to have some good decisions with the incomings and the out[goings].

“That’s also up to me a lot to work a lot on the fitness level to bring my ideas and my football into the heads and the hearts of my players”.

Exodus

There is every chance that Farke will have looked at what was on show from Leeds United last season and thought he won’t be too worried about much of the first-team squad leaving.

The likes of Brenden Aaronson, Marc Roca, Rodrigo, Robin Koch, Diego Llorente and Rasmus Kristensen appear to be on the brink of exits, with only the Spanish forward truly able to hold his head up after the previous campaign.

But there are vital pursuits under way involving plenty of teams for the likes of Willy Gnonto and Tyler Adams, so Farke should probably make a late meeting with them to gauge staying in West Yorkshire a priority before he does anything else.

Any side losing close to double figures in first-team players is going to need to fill gaps, and this was a side that had obvious deficiencies already.

So while returning loanees like Cody Drameh, Joe Gelhardt and Charlie Cresswell can step in there are going to need to be signings made as well.

Even the youngsters have transfer interest in them and the whole time the delay went on without a manager in place it probably increased the likelihood of players looking to move on.

Farke is finally here and he is clearly well aware of the vital market he is already over a fortnight into, so time is of the essence as he looks to make up ground on rivals like Leicester who have already been spending heavily [Sky Sports, 1 July].

In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay reports that the manager’s appointment has already “instigated” a significant exit from Elland Road.