Leeds United have announced the hiring of Daniel Farke, the former manager of Norwich City, as their new head coach. Farke has signed a four-year contract with the Championship club.
He takes over from Sam Allardyce, who departed the team after their relegation from the Premier League last season. Allardyce had joined Leeds for the final four matches of the season.
“I feel humble at this time, I know the responsibility to fulfil all the expectations and I want to repay the trust shown,” Farke told the club website.
“The most important thing is to create a togetherness and unity within this club again and from today onwards, I will work on it with my staff and players, and I trust our supporters will be there when we need them.”
After managing Norwich from 2017 to 2021, Farke is making a comeback to the English second division. In his second season, the German coach successfully guided Norwich to the Premier League, but they were later relegated back to the second tier in the 2019/20 season. However, they managed to win the Championship and quickly regained their spot in the top flight for the 2020/21 season.
“His record in the Championship is clear, and I am impressed by his leadership and plan to guide us back to the Premier League,” Leeds Vice Chairman Paraag Marathe said.
Farke became a member of Krasnodar, a team in the Russian Premier League, in January 2022. However, he departed the club three months later due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He did not have the opportunity to manage a game as the winter break was in effect.
In the 2022/23 season, he took charge of Borussia Monchengladbach and guided them to a 10th-place finish in the German Bundesliga.
Leeds announced that Farke will be supported by Eddie Riemer at the club, and Christopher John and Chris Domogalla, who previously worked together with Farke at Norwich, will also join the coaching staff at Elland Road.
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