Paraag Marathe came out a day before the Leeds United parade and informed all that Daniel Farke is the man he wants to lead The Whites back into the Premier League.
More than a vote of confidence, but a public promise that Farke will be given the chance both in the dugout and the transfer window to keep Leeds United in the Premier League during the 25-26 season.
It comes after two national newspapers suggested The 49ers were considering a change despite Farke guiding Leeds to the Championship title, winning 100 points and losing just four of 46 league matches.
But since Marathe’s decision to keep Farke in place – with Marathe confessing his love for the German – there have been suggestions that Marathe only kept Farke in place because any suitors were unavailable.
The latest reports show Daniel Farke should still be worried
Indeed, Richard Keys says he knows Jose Mourinho turned down Marathe. Mourinho had been linked with the Leeds role but now appears as though he could remain in Turkey with SuperLig side Fenerbahce.
Now, according to a report from Danish outlet Bold, Leeds have been in contact with Mainz manager Bo Henriksen and are ‘seriously interested’. Henriksen has starred at Mainz, with Nadiem Amiri his captain.
Mainz had been in the running for Champions League qualification until a run of two points from the last four games mean they sit in the Conference League spot, with just one Bundesliga match left to play.
Henriksen though, has impressed and caught the eye of Leeds. Certainly, he has performed better in Germany’s top tier than Farke did during his year-long stint as manager of Borussia Monchengladbach.
Bo Henriksen’s career compared to Daniel Farke
Clearly, Leeds have contacted a few managers to sound out replacing Farke. The Guardian’s report – one of two national newspapers to question Farke’s position – said Leeds had spoken to three other bosses.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst, jobless after a poor stint at Besiktas. Davide Ancelotti, who is looking for his own managerial role after working as dad Carlo’s assistant at Bayern Munich, Everton, Napoli and Madrid.
Bo Henriksen and Daniel Farke’s Bundesliga spells compared:
Roger Schmidt too, who has PSV and Benfica on his CV. So, while Marathe has promised Leeds fans and Farke that the German will remain, that does not mean Farke can relax. Leeds are poised for change.
If, they are required to make a change. The only way Farke can quell these rumours is to hit the ground running in the Premier League. A few early wins, and both Marathe and The 49ers will take a back seat.
