Noah Okafor has played under the likes of Antonio Conte and Massimiliano Allegri, but rates Leeds United boss Daniel Farke above all of them.
The Switzerland international has played under some of the most decorated managers in world football, including Conte, Allegri, Stefano Pioli and Paulo Fonseca, across spells in Switzerland, Italy and now England.
Speaking on Bild’s Stammplatz podcast, Okafor was asked about his relationship with the Leeds United manager, and his response was as emphatic as it was striking.
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Why Noah Okafor put Daniel Farke above Antonio Conte and Massimiliano Allegri
To rate Farke above managers of Conte and Allegri’s stature is no small thing, as the two of them have won 11 Serie A titles between them, along with several domestic honours across multiple countries.
Yet, it is the Leeds United manager who has made the deepest impression on Okafor as a footballer.
Explaining why the Whites boss is the best manager he has worked under, the 25-year-old pointed out that the German provides him with a sense of calm that translates directly onto the pitch.
Waxing lyrical about Farke, Okafor also claimed that the manager is clear about what he wants from his players and communicates it promptly.
He went on to express his gratitude towards the former Norwich City boss, having had a fruitful spell at Elland Road this season.
Speaking on Bild’s Stammplatz podcast, he said: “Yes, I really like him [Farke] as a coach. He’s very direct, actually; he always knows what he wants, and he gives me freedom; he always communicates what he expects.
“So far, I think he’s the best coach I’ve ever had, because he gives me that peace I can bring to the pitch, and when I can play with that peace, I can perform at my best, and that’s what I’m doing right now, and because of that, yeah, I’m very grateful to him.”
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Okafor’s comments speak to something that statistics alone cannot capture, which is the importance of a manager who understands exactly what a player needs to thrive and delivers it consistently.
The timing of it is also significant, considering the uncertainty around Farke’s future at Elland Road.
He is set to enter the final year of his contract at Leeds United, and recently sparked doubts over his future after claiming he is “not the right choice” for the club if they only want to maintain the status quo in the Premier League.
It is evident from Okafor’s statement that the Yorkshire-based club currently have a manager who gets along with the squad, and it would be a mistake to let him go at this stage.
That is why the 49ers Enterprises must sit down with Farke at the earliest and convince him to commit his long-term future to the club.
Meanwhile, it is also worth noting that Okafor has cast doubt over his future at Leeds, amid interest from England and Germany.
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