Leeds United boss reveals strong message to opposition clubs and agents in January transfer negotiations

Gentlesoccer January 13, 2024

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Daniel Farke, the manager of the Whites, has emphasized the significance of Leeds United’s image when starting transfer talks this month and in the future.

The 47-year-old repeated the argument during his pre-match press conference on Thursday afternoon that part of his role as Leeds boss is to inculcate standards and ‘values’ which sees the club function ‘with class’.

Last week, Leeds terminated Djed Spence’s season-long loan from Tottenham Hotspur, allowing fellow right-back Luke Ayling to leave Elland Road after seven and a half years of service due to a decline in first-team play. Farke asserts that both choices were the right ones and hopes Leeds acted appropriately, without divulging personal details of the talks that resulted in each incident.

Farke chose not to reveal the reason for Spence’s choice, despite rumors surrounding his early departure. Instead, he praised the 23-year-old’s character and wished him well for the rest of his career. Farke also freely admitted that he would have preferred to keep long-serving full-back and dressing room leader Ayling with the team, but due to the player’s request for a transfer and specific circumstances surrounding his contract expiration, it was decided to reluctantly part ways with the 32-year-old.

When asked if his and the team’s actions during this transfer window would affect prospective additions, Farke nodded and stated that having good personalities is crucial when assembling a team that would compete for titles and promotion.

“If you make it very evident that you are in charge and not the players—that is, if you are Leeds United—you make the decisions, not the players or their representatives. That, in my opinion, conveys the notion that every player aspires to play for a powerful team.

“No top player I know wants to come into a club where he feels he is bigger than the club,” Farke stated. “Players are drawn to clubs where they can manage everything with elegance and class and where everyone knows the club is bigger than them.

“When your behaviour is not in the way we want it, then also to be strict at times because these are our values, not like a flag in the wind, to always have the same values.”

Leeds were forced to play by terms of some players’ contracts that had been negotiated before Farke arrived last summer, so the German coach had no idea what pieces he would have at his disposal when making plans for the season. Leeds let go of players on season-long loans during this period, including Jack Harrison, Marc Roca, Robin Koch, Max Wober, Luis Sinisterra, and Rasmus Kristensen.

Farke stated, obviously anxious that Leeds not be exploited during his stay, “If you send a message out that the player is not in the driving seat, it sends a message to other players that, ‘No, no, we can’t play with Leeds United.”

Farke has promised the team will “stay awake” to possible signings becoming available later in the window, as is frequently the case, during the January transfer window. However, the manager wants to make it very clear to clubs, players, and agents that they will be dealing with Leeds in any future transfer talks.

As long as I’m in charge, I’ll make sure this club is in the driver’s seat and up to date on everything. This is a fact: this club is bigger than any single player, manager, and employee. We want to make sure that we behave in this precise manner.”