Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has risked angering the fans with his comments about his side’s base formation in the build-up to a crucial game against Chelsea.
Daniel Farke is under the cosh at Leeds as he enters a pair of games that look set to determine whether he remains in the hot seat at Elland Road.
The Leeds boss lifted his side with a surprise tactical change in the second half in the defeat against Man City, with the half-time introduction of Dominic Calvert-Lewin helping to spark the Whites into life.
However, speaking in his weekly press conference ahead of Leeds’ crucial meeting with Chelsea, Farke hit back at those calling for a permanent system change, stating that managing Leeds is not like playing a PlayStation game, where changing formation produces instant results.
But in doing so, Farke missed the point that fans were making after the game, as the Leeds boss referred to the success of several major European sides who rely on a “base formation” as the basis of their strength.
Prediction time for Leeds United v Chelsea
Daniel Farke and Enzo Maresca.
Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images
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What did Daniel Farke say about Leeds United’s base formation?
Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s visit to Elland Road, Farke defended his decision to trust the four at the back that Leeds have used for the majority of the season.
According to Farke, all of the most successful teams stick to a “base formation”, and managers should not move away from this for the sake of it.
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Farke said: “If you have a look at the top teams that win the titles by Munich, always the same base formation. Liverpool last season always same base formation. Real Madrid, Barcelona always same base formation. Top four right now, Arsenal, Chelsea, obviously Man City, Aston Villa, always the same base formation.
“Yeah, different players due to rotation, sometimes also a bit different setup, but always the same base formation. But if you work with a side that is fighting, for example, against relegation and doesn’t have the best individual quality, I’ve managed in the Championship three times, fighting for the title.
Daniel Farke managing Leeds United away to Manchester City
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“I stick pretty much to the same base formation, just in the moments when we need to change something, when we’re losing positions. So all seven or eight games, it happens. Then, if you fight for the title, then we have changed to a 3-5-2.
“But not for the sake of it, not to prove what a tactical genius you’re about. Then you speak afterwards and celebrate yourself as a manager. You have to do it always when it helps your team, it helps your players.”
Daniel Farke’s ‘base formation’ is flawed for this Leeds United team
Although Farke is right that the most successful teams prefer stability of both selection and set-up, the most successful managers also tend to be pragmatists.
The reports that Farke could lose his Leeds job if he loses the next two games show that he does not have the luxury of time at Elland Road, after a run of four consecutive defeats shredded his safety net.
Leeds have started every game this season with four at the back, a formation that means several players are being played out of their preferred position, or omitted from the side early.
Hear what Daniel Farke had to say ahead of clash v Chelsea 😎
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However, things fell into place with three central defenders on the field. Jaka Bijol looked at home in the defence, having regularly played in a three for his national team. Pascal Struijk was praised for the way he handled the dangerous Erling Haaland.
Ao Tanaka looked assured with more licence to get forward in midfield, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin appeared more dangerous with Lukas Nmecha closer to him in attack.
Farke was right to suggest that changing the system would not be a silver bullet for his side. But if the original plan is wrong, sticking to it rigidly was always likely to end in tears. Having stumbled upon a formula that worked, Farke now has to be flexible enough to adopt a new “base formation” at Leeds.
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