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Former Leeds United winger Robert Snodgrass believes Daniel Farke has now moved within the top tier of Premier League managers given his recent success at Elland Road.
Farke, in the final year of his contract amid ongoing negotiations over a renewal, finished eight points clear of the relegation zone last season and has steered his side to seventh in this campaign’s table after seven games.
Leeds have lost just one of their Premier League fixtures so far, and that was a narrow 2-1 defeat to champions Arsenal. Leeds drew with Manchester United on Sunday, having also shared the spoils away at high-flying Brighton, who currently sit third.
“I think Daniel Farke has jumped into that sort of top category of Premier League managers,” Snodgrass opined when speaking to Snabbare. “I feel as if every single time that somebody's questioned him, again he’s come up trumps and found a way and delivered.
“He’s always had great connections with the fans everywhere he's been. He builds that sort of relationship with the players as well, you can see that he's got a real calm but fiery presence when he needs to as well.
Daniel Farke embraces record signing James Trafford(Image: Darren Staples / AFP via Getty Images)
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“I think he's a terrific manager. I think Leeds and him just fit, if I'm honest. And on their day Leeds can beat anyone. Leeds are sort of formidable and you know, especially with their home support, it is incredible.”
Farke has often underlined how while he has “fire in the heart”, he has to remain “cool in the head” amidst a fanbase of palpable emotion. But as for his players, the manager wants them to play with passion and a never-say-die attitude.
Snodgrass, who played 191 games for Leeds between 2008 and 2012, concurs with this ethos. “I always say that your team needs to mirror the fans,” he added.
“Because that's the way they are as fans and they're right on the edge, they want you to be on the edge, they want you to keep pushing forward. Every single time I played for Leeds, every single time I felt as if I got the ball I had to make something happen.
“I had to make people and the crowd get up off their chairs because that was the whole thing. It's like, ‘let's get this crowd up because once they're up, they're some of the best supporters in the world’, really.”