The Sky Sports expert claimed Farle’s agent deserved a knighthood for securing him the Leeds United job.
We’ve all made pre-season forecasts that were incorrect, and no matter how hard you try to hide it, someone will always remind you of it. Football wouldn’t be football without making us doubt our predictions, especially in the Championship! Whether it’s a struggling team launching a promotion drive or a title contender who can’t move out of mid-table.
However, there are situations when a call appears to be over the top, and these might come back to attack you with genuine venom. Paul Merson’s opinion on Daniel Farke taking over as manager of Leeds United is one such call, with the former Arsenal and England player’s reaction to Farke’s appointment frequently repeated on social media following major victory for Leeds.
Merson made a stupid decision, which he will undoubtedly admit, and we have all made mistakes, but what is not being discussed nearly enough in all forms of media is the flip side and how significant the Farke hiring was.
Merson told Sky Sports in the summer that his agent should have received a knighthood. How did he get the job? They lost 27 consecutive games at Norwich, didn’t they?
“I know he got them up (Norwich City), but this league is much harder. He was at Norwich when they couldn’t help but make the play-offs—and they didn’t! I think he’s quite fortunate. I like him, don’t get me wrong, but he has the biggest job.”
Merson was correct: Farke had the biggest responsibility, and taking over a relegated team with new ownership and urgently in need of direction from the dugout was a massive assignment. Leeds’ transfer business had been a disaster, as evidenced by the number of players that did and could have left in the summer.
Farke’s handling of the summer transfer window, particularly the controversy involving Wilfried Gnonto and Luis Sinisterra, was quickly forgotten. Leeds’ tough start to the season was exacerbated by transfer speculation, but Farke handled the summer window wonderfully, sending a clear message where there had previously been doubt.
After the summer transfer window closed, the German set about bringing his squad closer together, with early foundations laid that have allowed Leeds to build to a position where they stand on 79 points from 37 games, with the potential to finish a Championship campaign with their highest-ever points total.
Forget handing Farke’s agent a knighthood; it will be the Leeds manager who deserves it if he takes over a team that appeared to be in disarray in the summer and leads them to the league title 10 months later. It’s even more astonishing to do so with a roster that complies with FFP requirements while not breaking the bank thanks to clever additions and is improving players who struggled at times under Jesse Marsch and Javi Gracia.
Merson was also correct. The league is far more difficult to climb this year, given the number of points required. Nonetheless, with eight games remaining after next weekend, Leeds might be at the top of the table and in complete control of their promotion. Not bad for a man who was lucky enough to land the job!
