Lee Bowyer shares what he has heard about Daniel Farke exit at Leeds United
Daniel Farke’s turbulent reign at Leeds has finally found solid ground in the Premier League.
Farke has done an excellent job at Leeds, guiding them to a seven-game unbeaten run and leaving them eight points adrift of the relegation zone after 20 matches.
However, it was only at the end of November when Leeds were winless in four matches and calls were made for Farke to be sacked.
After winning the Championship title last season, the 49-year-old has had to do a lot to prove that he deserves the chance to manage the Whites in the Premier League, but the decision to back him has evidently paid off.
Former Leeds midfielder Lee Bowyer explained that Farke’s departure in the summer was a very likely possibility.
Leeds were extremely close to sacking Daniel Farke in the summer
Doubts have always been cast on Farke’s credentials, with his poor record at Norwich leaving Leeds fans unsure that he could be successful in the top flight.
After guiding the Canaries to a 20th-placed finish in 2019-20, he was sacked 11 games into the 2021-22 campaign after winning just one match.
Speaking on talkSPORT on 6 December, Bowyer revealed that he thought Farke wouldn’t be given the chance to manage the Whites after what he had previously heard.
He said: “I’m pleased for Farke more than anything, and there was talk in the summer he wasn’t good enough for the Premier League.
| Stat | Farke |
| Games managed | 49 |
| Wins | 6 |
| Draws | 8 |
| Losses | 35 |
| Win percentage | 12.24% |
“I like the way Farke has adjusted. Some managers will try to stick to their ways, but he hasn’t. And it’s safe to say it is paying off for him.”
The speculation around his future in the summer was high, but since Leeds have started playing in a 3-5-2 formation, the mood around Elland Road couldn’t be more positive.
Leeds’ 3-1 win over Chelsea on 3 December began their fine run of form, and talks of sacking Farke have gone awfully quiet ever since.
Leeds travel to Newcastle on Wednesday with the hopes of extending the gap over the relegation zone to 11 points, and this season could have been very different had Farke been dismissed in the summer.
Which managers were linked with replacing Daniel Farke at Leeds?
Talks over Farke’s exit sparked talks of some managers being linked with the job, both in the summer and during the season.
Carlos Corberan was thrown into the equation, and despite impressing in the Championship, the current Valencia head coach is struggling in Spain.
His side sit 18th in the table, and are in danger of dropping out of La Liga for the first time since 1986-87.
Brendan Rodgers was also touted for the job, but his dramatic resignation at Celtic in October showed how he could be an incredibly polarising figure in an intense environment.
It’s safe to say that keeping Farke at Leeds has been the best decision Paraag Marathe has made since becoming chairman in July 2023.