Daniel Farke is a household name in the Premier League now, in what is his third season in England’s top flight. The German has over 50 Premier League games under his belt with Norwich and Leeds.
The German gaffer has made a solid start to life with Leeds in the Premier League, having won just six of his 49 in charge of Norwich. Eight points from eight, with a point-a-game required to stay in the league.
But there are concerns, too. Farke has watched his side prove incapable of putting the ball in the back of the net in the last two games, missing numerous chances. Ultimately, resulting in two successive losses.
The pressure is on Farke ahead of a massive game against West Ham on Friday night. A huge clash against a side that sits below Leeds in the table, with just four points from their opening eight matches.
But Farke’s position among Premier League managers is deserved and renowned, and it is known that he has a solid relationship with the likes of Thomas Frank, Jurgen Klopp and even, City boss Pep Guardiola.
Daniel Farke at Turf Moor.
Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images
Why Pep Guardiola called Farke after Leeds’ 5-0 loss to Arsenal
Farke has held an out-of-the-blue interview with Sky Germany, in which he actually attended a podcast and spoke openly about Leeds, more so than he often does in press conferences ahead of a match.
Posted on Sky Germany’s TikTok, Farke shares how Guardiola called him in the aftermath of Leeds’ 5-0 hammering at The Emirates. Guardiola wanted to get some advice from the German on Arsenal.
Daniel Farke greets Pep Guardiola.
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
“Last time he called, he wanted to chat about Arsenal before his team played them. We’d just lost 5–0. What was I supposed to tell him? How to play against Arsenal? No one knows Mikel better than you.
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“When you get that kind of appreciation from the best in your field, it’s always a good feeling. But I don’t like talking about it publicly, because it can sound like I’m fishing for compliments,” Farke continued.
“I don’t feel like just because I sometimes talk with Pep, Thomas, or Jürgen Klopp, that makes me a top coach. It’s more that they see something in the football we play – and that’s what really matters.”
Pep Guardiola during a Man City game.
Photo by Alex Livesey – Danehouse/Getty Images
What Pep Guardiola has said about Daniel Farke in the past
Guardiola is renowned for his relationship with Marcelo Bielsa, but it is clear he is an admirer of Farke, too. Speaking after Norwich had been promoted for a second time, Guardiola was full of praise for Farke.
“I like his courage. The proposal is always so attractive. I like it. I am very pleased they came back after being relegated. The two or three times we met each other… he is German. I worked there,” he said.
Guardiola and Farke will meet on the touchline at the end of November, when Leeds go to The Etihad and attempt to do the near-impossible task of stopping his side, which includes Leeds-born Erling Haaland.