Daniel Farke knows how to take a team to the Premier League, he’s done it twice inside three seasons with Norwich City. What Farke hasn’t done before, however, is manage a team in the play-offs and at Wembley Stadium in a game with the biggest financial prize in football.
The Leeds United manager is in his fourth season managing in the Championship, his first with Leeds and the fact his side show a return of 90 points from their 45 games underlines how well it has gone since his arrival. Unfortunately for Farke and Leeds supporters everywhere, it appears a final total of 93 points is unlikely to be enough to secure automatic promotion in what has been an incredible season of twists and turns.
The chance to win the title has gone thanks to a record of one victory from their last five games, but while first place has disappeared second remains a slim possibility. Ipswich Town’s victory at Coventry City has left the Tractor Boys needing just a point from their final game at home to a Huddersfield Town side who are as good as relegated already. There’s a chance for Leeds if they beat Southampton at Elland Road on Saturday, but it’s a very slim one and most are bracing themselves for a run in the play-offs.
Leeds’ record in the play-offs is well known, but while they have struggled in the end-of-season shoot-out, Farke is yet to experience the post season games. Arriving at Norwich from Borussia Dortmund’s reserve side, the Canaries finished their first season under his watch in 14th place.
The following year Norwich won the Championship title and while they spent just one campaign in the Premier League before being relegated in last place, Farke had his team back up as champions once again a year later. It means the German didn’t come close to a flirtation with the play-offs, as a new challenge most likely awaits.
Ultimately, it’ a two-legged knockout cup competition followed by a cup final with plenty of time to rest, recover and prepare between games. There’s nothing new as it were for Farke to get his head around, but still, having no previous experience of managing the week or the approach of the games will provide a fresh challenge.
In contrast, West Brom boss Carlos Corberan and Norwich City boss David Wagner both separately took Huddersfield Town to the play-off final, Wagner winning the game to take the Terriers up. When it comes to the play-offs any sort of advantage is a positive, but Farke will no doubt back his own ability to get the better of whoever Leeds come up against if, as expected, the team finish third.
