After a detailed selection process and an agonising wait, Leeds United have finally got their man. Daniel Farke will take the Elland Road managerial reins having agreed terms on a four-year deal to lead the Whites through their first season back in the Championship.
The 46-year-old has been out of work since last month when he left Borussia Monchengladbach after leading the club to a 10th-place finish in the Bundesliga. Farke knows the Championship well, of course, having led Norwich City to two promotions in three seasons during his first stint in English football.
Ideally, Leeds would have been in a position to make the announcement sooner with pre-season testing at Leeds Carnegie having started on Monday. But, while the takeover process continues, they have pushed to get the appointment over the line and Farke is now in a position to begin training with his squad for their first Thorp Arch training session tomorrow as they prepare for the new campaign.
The Whites are still waiting for EFL approval of the 49ers Enterprises’ takeover. But, Farke will be hopeful of being able to bring new players to the club before too long and he knows he will be under pressure to succeed in his first season in West Yorkshire as Leeds look to get back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
READ MORE: LIVE reaction to Daniel Farke's Leeds United appointment
United are known to have considered a number of managers for the role after parting ways with Sam Allardyce at the end of last season, but Farke was the outstanding candidate. The German arrives with a healthy reputation in the game having tasted success at a number of clubs throughout his time as a manager.
Farke started his career in the dugout at lower league German outfit SV Lippstadt, where he won two promotions before landing at Borussia Dortmund to take charge of their reserve outfit. The former striker made an immediate impact with the German giants and lost just six games in two years before heading to Carrow Road.
It was at Norwich where he announced himself to English football fans, winning promotion to the Premier League as champions in 2018-19. Unfortunately, he couldn’t keep the Canaries in the top flight, but he secured a second promotion in 2020-21 before leaving the club half way through the next season.
He joined Russian outfit Krasnodar in January 2022 but left two months later without taking charge of a game following the invasion of Ukraine. He then linked up with Monchengladbach, where he won his first game 9-1 before leading the club to a midtable finish.
Farke, who will be joined at the club by trusted coaches Eddie Riemer, Christopher John and Chris Domogalla, has just over four and a half weeks to prepare his side for Leeds’ opener with Cardiff City on Sunday, August 6, with the club's first pre-season friendly taking place against Manchester United in Oslo in just eight days on Wednesday, July 12.
The newly appointed manager stated: “I’d like to thank everyone for the really warm welcome, I’m really grateful at this moment, to work for this amazing club.
“I feel humble at this time, I know the responsibility to fulfil all the expectations and I want to repay the trust shown. The most important thing is to create a togetherness and unity within this club again and from today onwards, I will work on it with my staff and players, and I trust our supporters will be there when we need them. I can’t wait for the first game of the season.”
Current vice-chairman Paraag Marathe added: “After a thorough recruitment process, we are excited to confirm Daniel’s appointment as our first team manager. His record in the Championship is clear, and I am impressed by his leadership and plan to guide us back to the Premier League. We welcome Daniel and his staff to the club and look forward to a strong season.”
