Leeds United finally got their man after unveiling Daniel Farke as their new head coach earlier this week. The German head coach penned a four-year deal at Elland Road, tasked with winning promotion back to the Premier League following a dismal 2022/23 campaign.
The 46-year-old has two promotions from the Champions on his CV with Norwich City and will be hoping for a third at the Whites after taking charge of training for the first time last week. The German is well known for building fluid, attacking sides with his Canaries' side winning the second tier title on both occasions.
Farke hasn't managed in England since leaving Norwich in 2021, with a spell in Russia with Krasnodar - albeit the invasion of Ukraine meant he wouldn't manage a single game - before moving back to Germany in the summer of 2022 to take over Borussia Mönchengladbach. It's the first time he's managed in the top flight of his native country, but was sacked after just one season in charge.
So why hasn't he been able to crack the German top flight and have Leeds got the right man for the job? History in the Championship would suggest so, but Leeds Live spoke with Bild's Borussia Mönchengladbach reporter Dirk Krümpelmann for an insight into Farke's tenure at Borussia Park, which has unearthed some interesting talking points.
READ MORE: Fulham 'join interested parties' for Whites striker Rodrigo
What was the opinion in Gladbach when Farke was appointed as manager?
Dirk Krümpelmann: "In Gladbach, all fans were euphoric after Farke's first press conference. Farke was good at building a bond between fans and club and seeing the club as something special - much like he has now done at Leeds.
"Unfortunately, as the season progressed, that enthusiasm waned among the fans."
What sort of football did his side play, were they high pressing?
DK: "The team as it was put together is not a pressing team. There were too many slow players in the team, and Farke always complained about that.
"Farke tried to be successful as a possession team - it didn't work."
What did you make of his tenure?
DK: "He didn't live up to expectations. He had a squad that should put you in the top six or seven teams in the league - he finished 10th.
"With Marcus Thuram, Ramy Bensebaini and Jonas Hofmann, top stars are now leaving the club - the new coach Gerardo Seoane has it heavier."
Mönchengladbach finished in mid-table, was that a disappointment?
DK: "Absolutely, according to market values, Gladbach was in 6th place in the league, the fans finally wanted to go back to Europe - the goal was missed by a wide margin."
Were you surprised to see him return to management so quickly to Leeds United?
DK: "It was definitely a surprise that it happened so quickly. However, Farke had agreed on a severance payment with the club immediately after the season – and was thus free to take on new tasks."
