Daniel Farke has huge chance to prove Paraag Marathe wrong when Leeds take on Bournemouth
Leeds manager Daniel Farke deserves some credit for his side’s encouraging start to life in the Premier League.
The German has his critics, but early signs suggest he’s spent well in the transfer market and built a Leeds team that can compete well in the Premier League.
Farke is preparing his Leeds team to face Bournemouth at Elland Road this Saturday, and he’ll be hoping his team can build on their current total of seven points from their first five games.
If he can take all three points against the Cherries, Farke may revel in the bonus of proving 49ers president Paraag Marathe wrong.
Daniel Farke looks to outdo Andoni Iraola, who was the preferred candidate for his job
It’s no secret that the Leeds board are admirers of Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola. They have tried to appoint him on at least two occasions.
Leeds wanted Iraola to replace Jesse Marsch in 2023, but the Spaniard wanted to honour his contract at Rayo Vallecano. The Whites ended up appointing Javi Gracia and Sam Allardyce on short-term contracts that season, but neither could prevent Leeds from getting relegated.
Leeds were hunting for a new manager again that summer, and Iraola was still the 49ers preferred choice. However, they again failed in their negotiations and appointed Farke instead.
It took Farke two bites at the cherry, but he ultimately helped Leeds get promoted back to the Premier League.
Now, he’ll lock horns with Iraola for the first time and in a bid not just to earn three points, but to prove that he should have been the first choice along.
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Do Leeds have a Daniel Farke contingency plan?
It seems that Daniel Farke’s reputation is still suffering from his failed attempts at keeping Norwich in the Premier League.
Farke was relegated twice as Norwich manager, but he was barely given any financial backing by the board at Carrow Road.
Even so, he’s still judged by many as incapable of managing a Premier League team.
| Daniel Farke’s record as Leeds manager | |
| Games played | 110 |
| Wins | 63 |
| Draws | 25 |
| Losses | 22 |
| Points per game | 1.95 |
Some Leeds fans wanted Farke sacked before the season even began, and even after Leeds’ bright start, it’s being reported that Leeds have a contingency plan to replace their manager should the team’s form worsen.
That’s a disrespectful way to treat any manager who has just earned promotion, but perhaps this is the nature of modern football.
Either way, Farke will be keen to secure two positive results against Bournemouth and Tottenham before the international break to hopefully quieten rumours of his incompetence once and for all.
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