New Leeds United manager Daniel Farke is aware that a significant number of decisions need to be made throughout the club as preparations are made for the upcoming Championship season, but it is a process that he is “looking forward to leading”.
The former Norwich and Borussia Monchengladbach boss was formally appointed as Whites manager this evening, after weeks of speculation heavily linking him with the role.
For Leeds supporters – as well as club owners-elect San Francisco 49ers Enterprises – an immediate return to the Premier League is the priority after they dropped from the top-flight last season.
It is widely expected that Farke’s appointment will set in motion a busy summer of transition for Leeds – with the West Yorkshire club’s takeover still to be formerly ratified by the EFL as well as a significant number of transfer incomings and outgoings widely expected.
In an interview with BBC Radio Leeds’ Adam Pope (via the Don’t Go To Bed Just Yet Podcast), Farke revealed his awareness of the key issues to be sorted for the Whites, and also that he and the club hierarchy are “on the same page” as to how they should be resolved.
“I feel grateful and also humbled in such a moment to work for such an amazing club…it’s important now that we keep on working,” Farke said.
“I’m looking forward to work right now and we need to have some good decisions and some quick decisions because there need to be several decisions made.
“Obviously for the group of players – we need to become a unity as quick as possible in order then to play a really good role in this league, and I’m looking forward to leading this process.
“We [Farke and the club hierarchy] are pretty much on the same page and have clear ideas of where we want to go and what we want to do but right now it’s about not just talking but also about the doing and I’m looking forward to making the first decisions, and having some busy days.”
The appointment of Farke, coupled with acquiring Nick Hammond’s services as interim football advisor last month, are most definitely steps in a positive direction. Now it is up to the German to provide Leeds supporters with not only attractive football but a sense of stability, both of which were sorely lacking during the West Yorkshire club’s two previous seasons in the Premier League.
Farke’s first taste of competitive action with Leeds will come at Elland Road when the Whites host Cardiff City on 6th August in their first Championship fixture.