Next Leeds manager: Major Daniel Farke update from Phil Hay as appointment D-day is revealed
Daniel Farke is the new Leeds Utd manager
The appointment of Daniel Farke as the next Leeds manager is expected to finally be confirmed in the next 48 hours – and the new boss expects to be in place by the time their squad returns for pre-season training.
The Whites slipped out of the Premier League with a whimper last season, failing to win any of their final nine matches. Renowned firefighter Sam Allardyce was the final roll of the dice by Leeds, but he could only collect one point from the 12 available to him.
As a result, Leeds finished 19th and are back in the second tier for the first time since 2019/20. It also represented a hugely-disappointing end to Andrea Radrizzani’s time in charge of the club.
Having sold his shares to 49ers Enterprises, the investment arm of the San Francisco 49ers, Leeds will hope for an immediate return to the top flight.
Their new owners are still awaiting official ratification from the EFL. As a result, that delay has put a halt on their efforts to land on a new manager.
However, the interview process has seen three men interview for the vacancy: Scott Parker, Patrick Vieira and Farke. To that end, it was reported well over a fortnight ago that Farke was leading the race for the Leeds job.
And on Thursday reports in Germany claimed Farke has now ‘agreed terms’ on a move to Elland Road.
However, there remains plenty of speculation over when Leeds can officially confirm that deal. And while some reports claim the appointment is imminent, there were some suggesting the appointment still remained several days away.
Next Leeds manager: Farke to arrive on Monday
An update in The Guardian, however, sheds light on the planned arrival of the former Norwich boss.
And they state the 46-year-old double promotion winner will be officially confirmed in the next 48 hours. Leeds’ first-team squad returns to pre-season training on Monday and the report claims there is a “distinct possibility” that Farke will be in place before then and in time to put his new players through their paces.
The Athletic’s Leeds United specialist Phil Hay has also shared what he knows about the imminent arrival.
And speaking on the Square Ball’s latest podcast (June 30; 13min, 8secs), he claims the Leeds decision-making panel – consisting of chief executive Angus Kinnear and incoming new chairman Paraag Marathe – found Farke ‘very impressive’.
Host Dan Moylan kicked things off by stating: “It’s going to be Farke isn’t it? We all know it.”
Hay replied: “Last Friday, before I went on holiday, somebody who is involved in the process external of the club said that their understanding was that Leeds were trying to nail down a deal with Farke specifically.
“The club denied that at the time and said it was still open. They were still considering what to do to make a final decision after the interviews. But there has obviously been more in the way of reports this week saying that it will be Farke.
“As we’ve said all along he’s been right in the thick of it. He was one of the interviewees, he was somebody who they found very impressive in the initial Zoom calls. And, as we’ve said all along, it would certainly fit wouldn’t it?”
Farke has plenty to sort before new season gets underway
Farke’s most recent role came at Borussia Monchengladbach, whom he left after just a year over the summer.
However, he is best known here for his time at Norwich, whom he has led to two Championship crowns. Leeds will now hope Farke can make it a hat-trick of triumphs at this level.
The German, though, will have plenty to sort, alongside the board, before the new season gets underway on August 5. Leeds have a number of players’ futures to finalise, with several big-name stars expected to depart.
However, the club does hope to keep five big-name stars with Max Wober, Tyler Adams, Jack Harrison, Willy Gnonto and Dan James on their list of players they’d ideally like to retain.
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