Matt Kilgallon has told The Mail (June 25, page 95) has shared what Grant Hanley has told him about Daniel Farke when he asked the Norwich City defender about the manager, with the German looking likely to take over at Leeds.
Farke, 46, looks set to take the Leeds job, when the club finally make an announcement on the club’s next manager. An announcement is likely to be soon, with rumours circulating the club are waiting for the EFL to ratify a takeover.
In regards to Farke and his credentials, he is clearly a worthy candidate for the role. Two promotions at Carrow Road from the Championship to the Premier League shine bright on his CV. He has just left Gladbach in the Bundesliga.
But his success in management has come from England’s second tier. Kilgallon played alongside Scotland defender Hanley at Blackburn, while he played for Norwich during Farke’s four-year spell at Norwich between 2017 and 2021.
Kilgallon shared what Hanley told him: “I’ve been speaking to Grant Hanley, my old Blackburn teammate who played under Farke at Norwich. Grant said he’s an excellent manager and a top bloke too. So, Farke would be a good shout.
“If they [Leeds board and 49ers] go for someone without his kind of pedigree, the fans won’t be happy,” Kilgallon continued, when discussing the possibility of Farke arriving at Elland Road as Sam Allardyce’s replacement.
Kilgallon shares what Hanley told him about Farke ahead of Leeds move
Clearly, Farke is a really strong appointment. Finding a manager that is going to excite Leeds fans is going to be tricky with the club in the Championship. Fans have become accustomed to Marcelo Bielsa, Premier League taste.
Farke is not that, but he is not far from it. He is top of the level below. Leeds can do a lot worse than bring Farke to Elland Road and if indeed we do, it gives us the knowledge, experience and know how to get us back to the top.
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