Premier League management’s Mount Rushmore has a few candidates. But surely upon its rockface are Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger, and Jose Mourinho. Three managers who Leeds United boss Daniel Farke can take a lot from.
Daniel Farke’s Premier League record is certainly nothing to write home about: 49 games, six wins and 35 defeats, all whilst in charge of an admittedly terrible couple of Norwich City sides.
At the end of last season it was rumoured that Leeds United were considering sacking Farke ahead of next season, largely in part because of his poor record in the top flight. But the 49ers are sticking with the German.
New signings have started arriving at Elland Road with Lukas Nmecha and Jaka Bijol joining. More look set to arrive in the coming weeks too, as Leeds United gear up for what could be a gruelling fight against relegation.
But the foundations are there for Leeds to survive and later on, thrive. The 49ers have brought stability and vision. Farke has brought a dominant style of play and this summer he’ll bring in more players to complement that style. Though his game arguably lacks one thing that all the Premier League greats had in bucket loads.
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke standing on the touchlines during a game against Plymouth Argyle.
Photo by Pat Scaasi| MB Media/Getty Images
Is Leeds United manager Daniel Farke lacking a ruthless streak?
Sir Alex Ferguson took no prisoners. He often had bust ups with players, often dumped players, often sold those he didn’t get along with, and yet achieved great success. Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho weren’t exactly ‘nice guys’ either. But all achieved unprecedented success on different levels. There’s no denying that in football, and indeed in any competitive field, a ruthless streak is required.
It’d be unfair to say Farke doesn’t have a ruthless bone in his body. With him, it seems to be more of a last resort type of option, as the Illan Meslier saga proves. Farke dropped Meslier as Leeds United’s no.1 towards the end of last season, with Karl Darlow coming for the last seven games and keeping five clean sheets.
Not only that, but Darlow brought a huge air of calm. Leeds won six of the seven games he was in goal, drawing the other. Now it looks like Meslier will leave Leeds United this summer, potentially heading to Mourinho’s Fenerbahce as it goes.
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But the memories of the flapping Frenchman highlight a flaw in Farke’s near-perfect game. He hesitated in dropping him, defending him time after time when all in West Yorkshire could see that Meslier was a problem.
Daniel Farke celebrates with the Leeds United fans.
Photo by Pat Scaasi | MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Daniel Farke can build a ruthless streak, but he must tread carefully
There is of course a thin line between ruthless and reckless. Keeping Meslier in goal for as long as he did was reckless. But dropping him after, say, Meslier’s error against Sunderland back in October could’ve proved a reckless decision, more in terms of squad morale knowing that anyone can fall out of favour for one bad mistake.
Building a productive ruthless streak comes with making decisions at the right time and the summer transfer window and the pre-season could be the ideal time for Farke to make some of those ruthless calls, and not bring too much fuss about it all. The likes of Brenden Aaronson could be one who Farke decides is actually not good enough for the Premier League, even as a squad player.
It’s understood that Aaronson has offers to leave Leeds United this summer. But speaking recently, Aaronson made it clear that he wants to stay at Leeds going into the Premier League. Selling the previously £25million man could give Farke that bit of extra cash and space in the wage bill to help completely overhaul the no.10 position.
Decisions like that will help Farke build that vital ruthless streak that can separate the good from the great in management. Next season though will bring up yet more Meslier-style chances for Farke to be ruthless, or reckless, with Leeds expected to struggle near the bottom.