Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has sent a message backing Daniel Farke as he prepares his side to face Leeds United this weekend.
Daniel Farke is feeling the pressure with Leeds United, having seen his side’s promising start to the Premier League season evaporate into thin air.
Stuart Dallas scored as Leeds became the last newly-promoted side to beat Manchester City in 2021, as Guardiola has won 23 of the 25 games he has led against former Championship sides since then.
Chris Sutton has predicted a heavy defeat for Leeds, a result which could force the 49ers to change their manager as Leeds risk being cut adrift at the foot of the table.
Now, Guardiola has backed Farke, as the Man City boss looks to keep his side in touch in the Premier League title race with a win over Leeds.
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Pep Guardiola pays tribute to ‘incredible’ Daniel Farke
Speaking in his weekly press conference, via the Manchester City website, ahead of the meeting between Man City and Leeds, Guardiola paid tribute to the under-fire Leeds manager.
According to Guardiola, he has a very strong relationship with Farke, and any team can go through a bad run of form in the Premier League.
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The Man City boss said: “I have an incredible opinion of Daniel. I think I have a really good relationship with him, and I know that the Premier League is always like that.
“You are able to make good runs of results, but at the end, you can make bad results and continue. Because the opponents are tough.
“Every opponent is really prepared. They have long weeks to prepare. So it’s so demanding. So we have to be ready.”
Daniel Farke and Pep Guardiola shaking hands
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
Manchester City receive Rodri blow ahead of Leeds United meeting
Having confirmed that both Sean Longstaff and Anton Stach will miss the game through injury, Farke will be forced to rethink his midfield as he looks to cause an upset.
However, Guardiola will also be missing one of his influential players, as the Man City boss confirmed that Rodri will miss the game through injury.
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“I’m not focused on myself. I mentioned outside noise. I quite like that, then the outside noise is a bit more on the manager and not on the players.
“So for me, I’m just fully focused on my team, how to help my team, how to back my team, how to lead my team.
“They need a leader who will stay calm and is not thinking about himself or what it means for his own career.”
Daniel Farke – speaking prior to Man City v Leeds
Daniel Farke celebrates after Leeds United beat Everton in the Premier League
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
While Guardiola confirmed that Rodri is nearing full fitness after a hamstring issue, the Leeds game has come too soon for the Spain international to make his return.
Nico Gonzales anchored a midfield three alongside Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva in City’s defeat against Newcastle, and Guardiola must decide whether to stick with this combination after the 2-1 loss.
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