Open Leeds United ‘industry secret’ emerges after breaking news on Tuesday
It was an open industry secret that Leeds United seriously considered an approach for former Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper this summer, according to The Athletic.
The outlet reported on its website on Wednesday (20 December) that the Whites genuinely considered a move for the Welshman following their relegation to the Championship, despite sitting a league below Forest in the Premier League.
Relations between Cooper and those in charge at the City Ground were known to have broken down slightly, and that ended in the last 24 hours as he was finally sacked.
Phil Hay had previously reported [The Athletic, 3 December] that one person close to 49ers Enterprises had suggested that Leeds should make a move for Cooper this summer, but these latest reports of an “industry secret” would suggest it was more than one person who held an interest.
Industry secret
To have Farke and Cooper to pick between following relegation to the Championship meant that Leeds United were never likely to get this appointment completely wrong. The Welshman was able to take Forest to the Premier League despite taking over an incredibly messy situation under Chris Hughton.
Before his time at the City Ground, Cooper was reasonably successful during his time at Swansea City where he managed to make the South Wales side genuine playoff contenders, which they haven’t truly managed since his departure.
But Farke is even more of a master of winning promotion to the Premier League. The German has managed to do it repeatedly with Norwich City and has now got off to an impressive start with Leeds at Elland Road.
Currently, the Whites may well be outsiders for the automatic promotion places, but there is still plenty of football to be played between now and the end of the season. Cooper would have been a decent appointment for Leeds last summer, but Farke was the perfect man for the Whites this season.
In other Leeds United news, Carlton Palmer has predicted that there will be a “U-turn” at Elland Road involving Wilfried Gnonto