Daniel Farke’s treatment of Leeds United’s wantaway players in the summer helped win him the respect of the rest of the squad.
That is according to iNews, who report that Farke took a ‘hard but fair’ approach with those seeking an Elland Road exit, with the 47-year-old also keeping open the offer of a second chance.
Leeds had looked in disarray at times during the transfer window following relegation from the Premier League. At one stage it appeared as though pretty much every first team player wanted out.
Including Helder Costa, Leeds lost 17 players in the summer, 13 of which played a considerable role in the the club’s relegation last season.
11 of those exits were also on loan. While Sam Greenwood, Cody Drameh and Sonny Perkins were loaned out for different reasons, the other eight wanted to make use of the loan clause in their respective contracts that became active after relegation.
What Farke did to win respect of Leeds squad
But it appears as though it is Farke’s treatment of those players who are still here which won him the respect of the squad, none more so than Wilfried Gnonto.
Gnonto refused to play and handed in a transfer request back in August in order to force through an exit from Elland Road, but ultimately Leeds held their ground.
The 20-year-old ended up apologising to Farke and Angus Kinnear, before being reintegrated back into the squad almost right away.
Farke offered Gnonto a second chance at Leeds but warned him both publicly and privately that if it was to happen again, there would then be no way back for him.
It is that ‘hard but fair’ approach that won him the respect of the squad and that is clearly being reflected in the performances on the pitch.
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