Leeds United manager is under increasing pressure at Elland Road after losing 2-1 to Aston Villa in the Premier League
Leeds United suffered their fifth defeat in six Premier League games on Sunday. A 2-1 home defeat to Aston Villa saw the team fall into the relegation zone, putting even more pressure on manager Daniel Farke.
Even before the season started there was speculation at Elland Road about the German’s long-term future. Despite leading the club to promotion from the Championship last season, questions have been raised over his Premier League eligibility.
Of the 61 games he led the club in the league, he won just nine, drew 10 and lost 42.
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The defeat against Villa restarted speculation over Falke’s place at Leeds. The decision made by the club’s executives could lead to finding a potential replacement.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at five candidates who could play a role at Elland Road should the club decide to make a change…
Carlos Corberan
The former Leeds assistant manager has been linked with a return to Elland Road amid speculation over Farke’s future. Corberan currently manages La Liga side Valencia.
He has previously managed Huddersfield Town and West Bromwich Albion in England.
The manager has had a bit of a difficult time with Valencia this season. The team is in 15th place in La Liga, having won three and drawn four of their opening 13 games.
However, in the final match on Friday night, Valencia defeated Levante 1-0.
Corberan is at work so compensation will be needed to bring him to Leeds. It is unclear how much that will cost.
Marco Rose
Unlike Corberan, Rose is unemployed and therefore does not need compensation. The German has been unemployed since leaving RB Leipzig in March. He is one of the frontrunners should Falke take over as manager, especially considering his past relationship with the club’s co-owner.
Rose has previously managed Borussia Mönchengladbach, Borussia Dortmund, Leipzig and Red Bull Salzburg.
Lack of experience in English football could be a factor for Leeds owners to consider.
Brendan Rodgers
Leeds could turn to Brendan Rodgers if experience and success in the Premier League is a factor. During his time at the club, the Northern Irishman helped Liverpool win the Premier League and helped Leicester City win the FA Cup and qualify for European football.
However, things went badly for both jobs, and he was eventually fired. Rodgers is currently without a club after leaving Celtic in October.
He has previously managed Watford, Reading and Swansea, as well as Liverpool, Celtic and Leicester.
Thiago Motta
Motta, another name previously linked with Leeds when talk about Falke’s future first began, is without a club after leaving Juventus in March after less than a year with the Italian giants.
He took the job following his success in leading Bologna to Champions League qualification last season.
The Athletic previously reported that Motta models his team after former Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa’s style. If they make changes it will work at Elland Road.
Ange Postecoglou
Leeds could look to Postecoglou if they want to gain Premier League experience. Like most of the players, he is now out of work after a short spell at Nottingham Forest. His brand of attacking football is more in the Bielsa mold and may be attractive to clubs, but it may take him a while to implement it.
Appointing him would be a risk given Leeds’ priority is to stay out of the relegation zone.
