At first, it just seemed like a chat to fill some air-time on a popular radio station. And they have an awful lot of air-time to fill. Should Leeds United replace Daniel Farke now that he has taken them into the Premier League? It was the sort of mildly preposterous suggestion that might get a bored punter to call in.
But somehow – somehow – it appears to have got a bit of traction. As we say in the trade, it might have legs. Really? The premise to the idea is a simple one. Previously, Farke has taken a team down from the Premier League and struggled in a second stint in the top tier so move to Plan B straight away because you know Plan A is going to fail.
It is a truly dismal premise. Sack a good man, sack a good coach, just because you think someone else might keep you in a particular division?
Before we start, that really is the fundamentally dispiriting thing about these types of discussions – this mantra that merely staying in the Premier League is the be-all and end-all, that finishing 17th in the Premier League can be something to be celebrated. Which set of supporters has had more enjoyment this season? Leeds United fans? Or West Ham United fans?
The Hammers have won nine league matches, scoring a grand total of 37 goals. They have lost 15 league matches. Leeds have won 27 league matches, scoring 89 goals. They have lost four league matches.
I know who I would rather have been watching week in, week out this season. If you make a good crack of Premier League life – as, say, Bournemouth and Brentford have – then brilliant.
But if you get relegated, so what? It’s part of football. Hasn’t done Burnley much harm, and they have been relegated four times in the past 15 seasons. Is treading water in the bottom half of the Premier League really that much fun? Especially when the Premier League has been as turgid as it has been this season.
But never mind all that, Farke has proven himself to be an extremely good manager of Leeds United football club. He has the team playing some very good stuff, has rebuilt a squad that had been splintered by some high-profile sales and represents the fans and the institution extremely well.
There were mitigating factors for his lack of Premier League success with Norwich City, not least a lack of support in the transfer market. Show a bit of ambition this summer and Leeds can be very competitive next season.
There are three poor teams at the foot of the Premier League but also some very average teams above them. And a football club, don’t forget, should be about the fans, about the community, not just about the TV money from the Premier League.
Farke has built a relationship with the supporters and his achievements are deserving of gratitude, not the indignity that would come with dismissal. To sack Farke at the end of this season would be a soulless decision.
Beyond its own fanbase, it is hard to determine how much affection is out there for Leeds United. But if they get rid of a coach who has done what Daniel Farke has done for them, there should be none.
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