Leeds United manager news: BBC pundit reacts as Phil Hay drops Daniel Farke update
Matthew Kilgallon has reacted to the news that former Norwich City manager Daniel Farke could take over at Leeds United this summer.
Phil Hay reported in the Athletic on 23 June that the Whites considered up to 10 managers and even interviewed them on Zoom before having face-to-face conversations.
Farke was among the ones shortlisted for in-person interviews and he appears to have the support of a part of the Leeds boardroom as well.
Kilgallon, a BBC pundit told the Daily Mail [25 June, page 95], “The Leeds United fans need a lift and Farke would provide that. He’s got a proven track record of winning promotion from the Championship.
“I’ve also heard Scott Parker and Patrick Vieira mentioned, plus a cheeky little shout for Lee Bowyer.
“The fans would love someone like Bowyer, but it’s looking like it could be Farke. I’ve been speaking to Grant Hanley, my old Blackburn team-mate who played under Farke at Norwich. Grant said he’s an excellent manager and a top bloke too, so Farke would be a good shout.
“If they go for someone without his kind of pedigree, the fans won’t be happy.”
Half wrong
Kilgallon is right about the fact that Farke’s got a decent track record in the Championship and appears to be the safest bet for Leeds.
He’s got two promotions under his belt at a side like Norwich City that did not really have the financial muscle to compete with other teams in the top flight.
He also played an attractive brand of football and isn’t one who’s known to cause trouble behind the scenes at his club.
However, where Kilgallon is completely wrong is the fact that fans would love someone like Bowyer – whose last job was at Birmingham where his side won four games in their last 26 and finished 20th.
He may have shared the same dressing room with Kilgallon, but that’s no reason for him to believe that he would be the right option for the club.
Leeds cannot be sentimental with their next appointment and it’s a good thing that the new owners are taking the decision and not Andrea Radrizzani.
In other Leeds United news, the club have been handed a boost to sign a Manchester United player this summer with Erik ten Hag likely to sanction his exit.