Danny Mills has responded when asked if Daniel Farke could be sacked by Leeds United if The Whites fail to get over the line against Norwich City on Thursday night, and fail to get promoted.
Leeds will book their place in the Championship play-off final with a win over David Wagner’s side at Elland Road tonight, but everything is to play for having drawn the first leg 0-0 at Carrow Road.
Farke got his tactics right against Norwich after the defeat to Southampton, in which Leeds were wide open in the middle of the park. Using Archie Gray, Leeds packed the midfield to stop Norwich.
Farke has come under criticism for his inability to change tactics when needed, or steer away from the core of players he has entrusted to get Leeds promoted and give perhaps Mateo Joseph a chance up top.
Not only that, but his substitutions have also come under the microscope with Leeds often unable to break defences down and Farke’s answer is to just throw on as many attacking players as possible.
So there are critics, but former Leeds defender Mills said ahead of tonight’s play-off semi-final second leg that The 49ers have to keep Farke even if Leeds do not get promoted via the play-offs this season.
Mills says Leeds must keep Farke even if they don’t get promoted
Losing out to Norwich in the play-offs would be a huge blow, with the club’s financial position coming under the microscope. But, it must be remembered the mess that Farke inherited last summer at Leeds.
Victor Orta’s loan relegation clause meant players could leave on loan without Leeds able to reject bids, leaving The Whites without the option to sell and therefore unable to bring in cash to then reinvest.
Mills told TalkSPORT on Thursday (8.45AM), when asked if Farke could be sacked if Leeds don’t go up: “Ridiculous. The financial situation is a little bit unsure. They need to be back in the Premier League.
“For the club, city, financially. Whether the manager stays on, he’s done a good job. He’s got promoted before, it’s just a bit of a wobble at the end. He’s done incredibly well to just miss out on the top two.
“You’ve got to stick with him, give him another year. Who else are you going to bring in? And then there would be another turnover in players. It’s his first year, I’d stick with him,” Mills told TalkSPORT.
Farke could make two changes to his Leeds side tonight
At Norwich and after the defeat to Southampton, the order of the day was to play conservatively. To get back to being rock solid and keeping a clean sheet and they did that, job done.
But now it is all about finding that crucial goal to put Leeds ahead in the tie. The first goal on Thursday night will play a huge part in who goes into the final, and who sees their season come to a sudden halt.
Farke then could go a bit more attacking and bring Joel Piroe back into the side, having dropped him for Gray on Sunday. Connor Roberts is fit and perhaps he comes in at right-back for Sam Byram.