'Not for the public' — Leeds United spending warning for summer transfer window promotion or not — Leeds Live 1/5/24
Daniel Farke has warned Leeds United supporters not to expect the club to be one of the biggest spenders in either the Premier League or Championship this summer though that is not a problem for him
Spending at Leeds United will not compete with their biggest
rivals this summer whether they are in the Premier League or the Championship.
Daniel Farke has reassured supporters, however, the club will be run in a
sustainable way, even if that means promoting youth ahead of big purchases.
The publication of the club’s accounts gave everyone a fresh
perspective on where United are at and while there were some significant
transfer fees outstanding, there is understood to be no imminent risk of
breaking profit and sustainability rules. Farke feels happy with where the club
is at as he heads towards the end of his first season at the helm.
Promotion would of course mean competing with the richest
clubs in the world, but another campaign of Championship football would not
automatically make United the biggest spenders. Farke wants to be transparent
on where the club is at and while he will push for the best squad possible this
summer, he has no problem with developing Thorp Arch graduates for the first
team.
“We have lots of conversations in the background on what is
possible and what is not possible, but this is not for the public,” he said a
few weeks ago. “In my role, I want to concentrate [on football].
“I have to comment on so many topics, so I just want to
focus on my topic. My topic is football. With the heart and soul, I'm a
football manager and I love to speak about football and to develop a group and
to develop a club in these terms.
“I'm not an accountant. I've also got an economic
background, a little bit. I understand the numbers and when we have a
conversation, I understand the necessities and what is necessary.
“The club is in top-class hands. In these terms, it’s never
easy after a difficult spell to build sustainability and consistency, but we
are definitely on the right path and we've got fantastic people who are
concerned about this topic.
“I'm sure we will have a really good future. Perhaps we will
not be the club capable of spending the biggest money, not in the Premier
League and if it's Championship next season, probably also not in this league,
but it's also not the topic.”
Coaching players, improving them, developing the training
ground and enhancing the infrastructure of the club as a whole is Farke’s modus
operandi. When his time to depart does come, he wants to hand over the club in
a better place than where he found it.
“I don't want to be successful just because I can buy the
best players. I want to be successful because our processes are the right way.
“I will also ask for quality and, believe me, as a manager,
your life is easier when you can bring quality and experience in. There is also
no doubt I will be insistent in order to give us the best possible squad and I
work a lot in the background, but if it's not possible, then I'm not asking for
miracles.
“I will work with what I've got and then we bring the next
academy lads through, no problem. This club doesn't rely on just one player or
just two players or just if we can spend lots of money.
“This club relies definitely on the supporters, but relies
more on building something with sustainability and this is our way as long as
I'm in charge. I will work exactly in this way and want to make sure this club
is in a better position.
