When Daniel Farke was involved in the exit of Patrick Bamford from Leeds United, many fans were surprised. The striker was told he was not in the team’s plans for this season, and thus he agreed to terminate his contract.
That was not the only major exit the Leeds boss was involved in; when Mateo Joseph failed to report for pre-season training, Farke told him he was also not in the plans for the campaign. The Spain U21 international was sent out on loan to Mallorca for the rest of the season.
Having made these big decisions in the summer, it was assumed that in January, there was not going to be a lot of noise about possible departures.
Daniel Farke admits Jack Harrison wanted to leave
Just last week, Fiorentina announced the signing of Jack Harrison on a season long loan. The winger was the subject of many reports, but nothing had been made official. Now, after his move, many had been wondering what went on behind the scenes. Daniel Farke confirmed in Thursday’s press conference that the winger was the one who pushed to leave:
“We have allowed Harry Gray for his development to go out on loan and also Jack Harrison because it was his wish to go out on loan, on the other hand, we’ve brought Facundo in, so it’s a really healthy balance… if a player is tempted to leave when I don’t have any indications, of course our door is always open and we speak about it but there’s one thing that’s also for sure, we won’t allow four players to leave.
“If a player behaves as professionally as Jack, then I’m always open to listening to him,”
Farke also added that the signing of Bunanotte was based on Harrison’s exit; meaning the team needed another attacking option in with the departure of the winger.
READ MORE: ‘Part of the truth is…’ – Daniel Farke delivers brutally honest Facundo Buonanotte verdict
Exit was an embarrassment to the club
No more words can be said about the transfer since it has been officially completed. But Leeds fans will still be furious about how the move came about. Farke and the 49ers welcomed the 29-year old in the summer, hoping to reintegrate him into the first team.
Now, he has abandoned the team in the middle of the season. Fans will be asking why the club brought him back in the first place if he immediately chose to leave in the next transfer window. Harrison’s exit is not a good look on the Whites, but ultimately it will be the end of the season that will prove if this was a good decision by the club or not.
Jack Harrison should never have been allowed back from his two season Everton stint. he thought only of himself when the club were relegated, yet he was one of the reasons for that relegation … quite simply, he was not good enough. The very same could be said for his time on Merseyside, and since his return to ER, he hasn’t shown any improvement whatsoever. Better for all concerned now that he’s gone, and his departure reflects badly on him, not on Daniel Farke or Leeds United … in DF’s words, he can be led to the door, but the responsibility is/was on him to walk through and make the best of the opportunities given … he failed, adios, goodbye.