Leeds United manager update: 10 interviewed last week as Daniel Farke finally closes in – Sky Sports
Leeds United conducted Zoom interviews with 10 managerial candidates last week as Daniel Farke closes in on the job, Sky Sports report.
The German is set to take over at Elland Road after leaving Borussia Monchengladbach at the end of last season, having been expected as the new man for some time.
Phil Hay had reported in The Athletic (23 June) the ex-Norwich boss’ presence in the interview process alongside new Strasbourg manager Patrick Vieira and Scott Parker.
But according to Sky Sports, the potential options were still in double figures as recently as a week ago as the delay in appointing a Sam Allardyce successor went on.
They report on Tuesday (4 July): “Dossiers were created and then around 10 were interviewed initially on Zoom last week. Leeds conducted face-to-face interviews last week from the final shortlist.”
Sky claim Farke is in “advanced talks” over the Elland Road job, but with the club still waiting on EFL ratification of the 49ers takeover Hay reported on Monday night that they would go ahead without and that his confirmation is expected by the end of Tuesday.
Forensic
After the chaotic manner in which the club replaced the manager multiple times last season, with numerous targets proving unavailable, it seems like the Whites have gone to the other extreme this summer.
Multiple rounds of interviews with an extensive array of options, as they looked to wait for everything to be officially in order with the takeover, is all well and good but it has now taken up all the time between the end of last term and the start of the preseason.
Who else was still being interviewed last week is unclear, but with links to Regis Le Bris re-emerging over the weekend he might have been one.
Farke has looked more or less like the right man for the job throughout the process based on his record of success in the Championship.
So the new regime will have to hope that their extensive search for a suitable option hasn’t wasted a load of time for nothing and that the German can juggle his preparations on the training pitch with input on signings before the new campaign kicks off.
He has a crucial few weeks ahead of him once he is finally announced as the first-team squad is set for various exits still and he needs to make sure he has the right options available to challenge for another promotion.
In other Leeds United news, Gianluca Di Marzio has reported details of the clause that will see an imminent Elland Road exit on loan become permanent.