Leeds United's Graham Potter situation and Old Firm debate as promotion specialist looks safe bet
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Graham Potter’s odds have come down, sparking speculation among fans that he might be closing in on the job. Brendan Rodgers, meanwhile, was reportedly the subject of an attempted Leeds hijack, as they sought to derail a Celtic return. The YEP reported this morning, however, that Leeds have not met with Rodgers and while he is well liked at Elland Road, the ex-Leicester City boss has not been considered particularly keen on the role or an obtainable target. Daniel Farke and Carlos Corberan are among those Leeds have looked at and both appear to represent a realistic appointment.
Away from the managerial search, Leeds’ takeover is progressing and supporters are asking what the plan will be and when they will hear it from 49ers Enterprises. And with the domestic transfer window now open, ahead of the foreign market, fans are anticipating big change in terms of comings and goings this summer. There are big players with big question marks over their Leeds future and players with big futures for whom a big effort may be needed to retain their services ahead of the 2023/24 campaign. Tyler Adams and Willy Gnonto are on 49ers Enterprises’ list of players they want to try and keep but both will have offers elsewhere when the transfer window is in full swing. Like Gnonto, Charlie Cresswell is among those heading off to the Under 21 European Championships this summer and after a season on loan at Millwall will have plenty of eyeballs on him.
Those topics and more are covered in today’s Q and A, with 31 subjects tackled with what we know, hear and suspect.
Leeds United Q and A
Key Events
- Manager hunt narrowing
- Brendan Rodgers never likely
- 49ers words and plans
@BenLufcCawley If you found a pensioner's 10 pound note on the floor. After a quick check left and right for witnesses, you pick it up and push her over so she can’t give chase. You walk into a bookies and place a bet on the next Leeds manager. Who are you backing ?
Not sure I’d back myself to put much distance between myself and every pensioner just now. I’m running, but running slowly. Now I’m no betting man but if I had to, right now, I’d put it on Daniel Farke because he seems like a very plausible candidate. It feels like he’s a safe bet, unless we’re about to be blindsided by an as-yet-unnamed candidate from left field. You can’t rule anything out, this is Leeds and this is football. I’m not sure I could argue against Farke’s appointment. Not sure I could argue against Carlos Coberan’s, for that matter. And I’m the argumentative type.
@MrRonanHunter How likely is it that Leeds wait for Webbers notice (reported 2024?) to appoint him? Or will he be released early if someone approaches him?
I think it highly unlikely that Webber works at Norwich until 2024. He wants to leave, they will want to move forward with their own plans and a new man who wants to be there, so I imagine a deal will be struck when a club he wants to join comes calling.
@mathautomatic Is there any indication that the 49ers intend to invest in the back-office; commercial, comms etc?
Yes. The head count at Leeds United is one thing that was noted and 49ers Enterprises want to increase it. How quickly that will happen I don’t know, but the operation does need to grow. Obviously they’re a Championship outfit now, but it was always striking on Premier League matchdays just how much Leeds were dwarfed by some others in terms of logistics and the scale of their business operation. That comes from being out of the top flight for so long, and of course how much the big clubs have grown in the intervening years. Regardless, I expect change in the form of a beefed up general staff as 49ers Enterprises take a grip of things.
@Poz89 You’ve been thrown into an insane asylum. What do you tell the people there to prove to them that you don’t belong inside?
If they find out I’ve got four kids there’s nothing I can say that will open the door for me.
@WeAllLoveLeeds If you could sign three (realistic) players for Leeds’ promotion push who would they be and why?
Don’t let me answer this question, let European football nerd and future director of football Joe Donnohue answer it in the form of this fine (realistic) article. Just click HERE.
@Fisherlufc If you had to choose one of the three what you going for. Poached egg, boiled egg or fried ?
Poached. I had them every morning for a period of about four years, until recently when I switched to a banana omelette (two whisked eggs, mashed banana whisked in, fried in coconut oil with blueberries if we have them). Give it a try, son.
@robbiggins_ In the middle of the night, you had a knock at the door and you run the window and look out. You see a fridge that isn’t plugged in. You run down the stairs, open the front door, gingerly approach the fridge and open it. Out pops Joe Donnohue wearing only a roman toga, and he says to you “Graham, I think my car needs new spark plugs”, what would your reaction be?
I’d shut the fridge, push it over and roll it down a big hill. This is a painful one, Rob, I had new spark plugs yesterday and I’ll thank you not to bring it up again.
@EnthusiastLeeds Two part question. What Irish League current player would you like Leeds to sign? Also what ex Bangor FC player would you have liked to see at Leeds (Zeke Rowe)?
I don’t watch enough of it to give a qualified answer on the first one, sorry. As for the second, Rowe would be right up there. Some player, unbelievable dribbler and could shoot from distance. But Paul Byrne was magic. Scored the goal that won the Irish Cup against that lot. Legend.
@F10nnH If you had to make an Ice hockey team from past and present LUFC players who would you pick and where do you think they would finish in The Premier Sports Elite League?
Joel Robles in goal, he’s enormous. Pascal Struijk as the cultured defenceman who can carry and pass the puck, Norman Hunter as the one who nails anyone entering the zone with their head down. His penalty minutes would be incredible, although who would drop the gloves with him? A forward line of Peter Lorimer, the sniper with a lazer shot, power forward Mark Viduka to go to the net, and Pablo Hernandez to dangle around everyone and find the five-hole with unerring regularity.
Grandslam champions.
@scherer_90 Does everything seem to be taking a decade or are we just impatient?
Maybe, just maybe, there’s an element of the latter. Takeovers take time, other takeovers have taken much more time than this one has so far. And the managerial appointment had to follow an agreement between 49ers Enterprises and Radrizzani, because otherwise how could you guarantee a budget or a plan for any candidate at interview? But I get the sense of urgency. Leeds need to move quickly. They cannot get off to a slow start next season.