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What Manager Could Be A Good Fit For Leeds United?
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What Manager Could Be A Good Fit For Leeds United?

29/04/25 18:25

What Manager could Be A Good Fit For Leeds United?

Despite the huge success of Leeds United this season, gaining promotion back to the Premier League, the owners are looking into a change at the helm of the football club.

Promotion (and relegation) expert Daniel Farke has done what he does best this year, coaching his team back to the Premier League almost effortlessly, making a mockery of the league. Leeds have outscored every other team this year, as Daniel Farke has got the EFL Championship wrapped around his finger.

How is Farke rewarded may you ask? Is he getting a new contract, an improved salary? Ha, no. Rumours have been circulated that Leeds could be giving the German coach the sack, with fears over his previous managerial spells in the Premier League.

Nothing nicer than getting your side promoted to wake up and to check your phone and see that your employers are potentially looking at other options to take over all of your hard work.

Sure, Farke hasn't exactly impressed in the past when he was managing Norwich City in the Premier League, it was far from a success. Norwich were relegated straight back to the Championship in their first season in the Premier League under Farke, and he was sacked halfway through their second attempt of Premier League safety in 21/22.

So, can you blame Leeds for looking elsewhere? The club have ambitious owners, who don't want to see the club become a so called 'yo-yo' side, they want a club the size of Leeds United to solidify themselves as a Premier League club like they were so many years ago.

But, if Farke was to go, who could replace the manager and keep Leeds up in the Premier League?

Ange Postecoglou

A name we are all familiar with. Ange Postecoglou is into his second season at Tottenham Hotspur, and for a Premier League club, that is a very long time to be in charge.

This season hasn't been a success at Spurs, with the North London Club sitting 16th in the table, and big Ange edging closer and closer to the chopping board.

With the rumours persisting that the Australian could be relieved of his duties, the chance to get straight back into management could tempt Postecoglou, especially at another Premier League club.

Of course the level of players are different, and Ange would view the club as a project where he can build the squad how he wants it, buying players that suit his playing style.

Both Ange and Farke play quick and attacking football, not making it a huge drastic for Leeds players to get use to ahead of their first season back in the top flight. They clearly know how to play this style of football, scoring goals in abundance all season, so wouldn't it make sense if you were to change your manager, not to change to a manager who is a polar opposite to the current one?

Having previously being leaked with the Leeds job when he was at Celtic, it could be more than just a rumour this time round for Leeds.

Jose Mourinho

Potentially another shock addition to this list, its the special one himself. The well decorated Portuguese manager who has conquered England many times.

Mourinho currently spends his time managing Fenerbahçe in Turkey, where of course he doesn't keep a low profile. The former Chelsea coach is still managing at a high level, and has said in recent interviews he would love to come back to the Premier League, and have the chance to manage a lower half side. Could he be in contention for the Leeds job?

Similarly to Postecoglou, Mourinho has been linked with the Leeds job in recent days, following the news of Farke's potential sacking. Mourinho and Leeds could be a match made in heaven, and there couldn't be anything more entertaining than seeing the Special one back in the Premier League.

Leeds fans are certainly spirited, and their fanbase is one of the biggest in England. Combine that with Jose Mourinho, a man with a fiery personality and knows how to get emotions out of fans, it couldn't possibly go wrong.

Mourinho is of course no stranger to the top flight, having won it in his first season in England, whilst having spells at Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur. His experience could be vital to keeping Leeds up in the Premier League, and would guarantee results, especially if he is allowed to spend big. His name itself will attract top calibre players to Leeds, giving them a strong Premier League squad.

Kjetil Knutsen

Kjetil Knutsen should get a lot more praise than he does, and with no disrespect to his current team Bodo/Glimt, but he deserves to get a move to a bigger club.

Managing Bodo/Glimt since 2018, Knutsen has taken the side the small side in Norway to European competitions, and this year has them in the semi finals of the Europa league, where they will face Tottenham Hotspur.

Taking a club like Bodo/Glimt, a small Norwegian town with a population of just 42,000, to the Europa League semi final, deserves recognition. Knutsen has done great work, and could now be tested in the Premier League with Leeds.

Similarly to Farke, Knutsen sets his team up in a 4-3-3 position, using fluid rotations between players to make it harder for opponents to mark players, creating space for good shooting opportunities. Whilst also doing this, Knutsen sets his team up with a high defensive line, with his players closer together, meaning counter attacks are easier as passing distances are shorter between players.

Knutsen could be seen as a risk, as he has never managed in the Premier League. However, he has shown good quality in European Competitions, and he clearly is ready for a big move, so could Leeds be the time?

Edin Terzic

Edin Terzic was linked to make a Premier League switch previously, with rumours that West Ham were after the manager. Terzic started his coaching career in the Premier League, working as an assistant manager under Slaven Bilic at West Ham from 2015 to 2017.

Yes, the Premier League has developed since that time, but his previous experience in England could make Terzic a good option for the role.

Terzic took charge of Borussia Dortmund in 2022, where he had previously been assistant manager and the club's technical director. When Terzic was given the managerial role, he only lost out on the Bundesliga to Bayern Munich on goal difference.

Also in his time with Dortmund, Terzic just missed out on winning the Champions League, as Dortmund lost in the final against Real Madrid. Terzic then offered his resignation, and has been out of the game since.

Terzic during his time however did win a DFB Pokal, beating RB Leizpig in the final, meaning he got his hands on some silverware whilst in charge of the club.

Terzic could be a good option, as he is a free agent, meaning Leeds can skip paying a huge compensation fee to a club, and hiring Terzic could be good for saving money. Going for the cheaper option shouldn't be the priority though, as you need the most suitable man in charge, no matter the cost.

Steve Cooper

A rogue shout, but it could be one that pays off for Leeds. Steve Cooper may not be the most fashionable appointment that Leeds fan may be wanting to see, but there is certainly worse options you could go for.

Steve Cooper has proven his worth in the Premier League. The Welsh man secured promotion to the top flight with Nottingham Forest, and was able to keep the side up and survive promotion in their first season. Cooper can get the best out of his players, and likes to be patient in possession.

Cooper was in charge of Leicester City at the start of the season, but was sacked despite keeping the side out of the relegation zone. The foxes have since went on to fall to 19th in the table, and have looked dreadful all season, maybe showing that Cooper wasn't doing such a bad job after all.

Whilst Cooper may not be who Leeds fans want, he could be another good and cheap option. The former Forest manager has shown he can keep times up in the league, and he can play a style of football which keeps his side solid defensively, whilst also having the ability to score on the counter attack.

Benji Kosartiyer
Journalist
Jake Pearce

Writer at Football Park

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