‘Leeds owners to follow Bournemouth’s Iraola example on Farke sack’ – ‘Harsh’ update
Leeds United are thought likely to look at Bournemouth as an example when deciding on Daniel Farke’s future this summer.
Achieving promotion is usually one of the more joyous moments in a manager’s career, but for the Whites’ boss it appears bittersweet as things stand.
As Farke celebrated on the pitch with his players following the 4-0 dismantling of Bristol City on Monday night (28 April), questions were being raised about his future at Elland Road.
Leeds are reportedly looking at alternative managers, given the 48-year-old’s poor track record in previous seasons in the Premier League.
Farke took Norwich to the promised land in the 2018/19 season, only to come crashing back down in 20th place the next season.
A second promotion followed, but the German boss was not given the same leeway in his next stint in the Premier League and was sacked midway through the campaign with the Canaries once again finishing 20th.
Daniel Farke has done his job getting Leeds promoted
When asked by host Jim White if Farke was “the man” for Leeds next season on talkSPORT, ex-Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan hesitantly responded (29 April, 10.13am):”Um, if the owners think it’s the right thing.
“Listen, his job was to get Leeds promoted, that’s what he was brought in to do.
“He was given the prerequisite tools, he probably has one of the biggest budgets in the division, last year they didn’t achieve it… he got them promoted this year and with respect, I know it sounds a bit harsh, he did the job he was brought in to do.”
Jordan then said: “If they think in the same way that Bournemouth owner did, that Gary O’Neil wasn’t the right fit [before replacing him with Andoni Iraola], after working the oracle, I’m pretty sure there would have been some dissenting voices at Bournemouth.
“They’re not dissenting now, are they?”
Jordan rounded out his point by saying that if Leeds feel Farke is not the right man to lead them to success in the Premier League, he would be “departing with a nice pay-check”, suggesting it would be a satisfactory outcome for both parties.
Leeds ambitions to become top Premier League club may be their own downfall
Football Insider Verdict
Icarus’ tale has become an overused trope, but the story of the boy who flew too close to the sun is especially pertinent when talking about this modern Leeds side.
Desperate to restore themselves to what they see as their rightful place amongst the Premier League’s elite, the Whites risk pushing themselves too far, too fast.
Farke may well be the wrong man for a club fighting relegation in England’s top flight, but his experience of having failed twice before is invaluable, especially when compared to the alternatives.
| Daniel Farke stats | Games played | Wins | Draws | Losses | Win percentage |
| Leeds | 103 | 60 | 25 | 18 | 58.25% |
Given the German manager would need to be paid a year’s salary to leave and Leeds’ precarious financial state, the Yorkshire club are limited in who they can afford to replace him.
“Initial soundings” have been made towards Roger Schmidt, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, and David Ancelotti, given that the trio would be cheap alternatives.
Bournemouth’s example is less applicable here as the Cherries built the foundations of being a Premier League club before taking the leap to battling for Europe with more stylish football, although there is an irony in the fact that Leeds attempted to appoint Iraola themselves last time they were in the top flight.
Leeds can now do the same. But it will take time and sacking Farke now will only make the next-tier of managers wary about taking the job at Elland Road.