Leeds United’s appointment of Daniel Farke in the summer could have been very different if the club had explored other targets more aggressively, including Nottingham Forest’s Steve Cooper.
The Whites are enjoying their time back in the Championship at the moment under Daniel Farke, with the German getting to grips with a chaotic situation unfolding during the summer.
At present, his side’s form would be good enough to be in contention for top spot in most other seasons, but the runaway form of the current top two means Farke and Leeds have to settle for a solid third place, 10 clear of seventh.
Who else could Leeds have appointed?
A number of managers were linked with the Leeds gig during the summer months as the 49ers looked to hit the ground running.
The Athletic’s Phil Hay has now shared that Nottingham Forest’s Steve Cooper was a name mooted as a potential target for the club, despite having successfully kept the Reds in the Premier League last season.
What is interesting is that the club weren’t the ones that were keen to exercise that possible option, it was an external contact that tipped them to the chance that Cooper could be available:
“Externally, not everyone was convinced (of Farke).
“One person with recruitment experience and a line of contact with Leeds’ new ownership group thought the club should have a bash at Nottingham Forest’s Steve Cooper, on the basis that the Welshman had torn up the Championship very recently and, like the Duke of Winchester in Blackadder, was forever on his last legs at The City Ground. If Leeds asked the question, which ultimately they never did, who knew if Forest might bite?”
How many signings will Leeds make in January?
None
1
2
3 or more
Cooper did well in the Championship with Forest to drag them from bottom of the table to promotion, but his style of play has not aged well at the City Ground.
Fans don’t appear convinced by how his side are playing, which is worrying for him given the investment and signings his club has made.
It was the right decision for Leeds not to go for Cooper and instead go for Farke, who looks completely at ease with managing a promotion chase right now.
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