Leeds now advancing to bring in a "ridiculously good" coach to Thorp Arch

Leeds United are said to have made contact with a “ridiculously good” coach with a cup win to his name, according to a new managerial update.

The Whites may have sealed promotion from the Championship to the Premier League this season, but that doesn’t mean Daniel Farke isn’t battling to remain in charge next season.

On the plus side for the German, Leeds chairman Paraag Marathe showed his support earlier this month, saying: “I have ended the speculation. He is my man. I’m really excited about collaborating with Daniel, with Robbie Evans, who we promoted to managing director, with Adam Underwood, who we promoted to sporting director, and together, we are going to build the best squad that we can with every penny that we’re allowed to spend to go and compete in the Premier League.”

Despite this, speculation isn’t going away and Giovanni van Bronckhorst is one of those to have been linked with replacing Farke at Elland Road, having formerly been in charge of the likes of Rangers and Besiktas.

Former Southampton manager Russell Martin has also emerged as a surprise option for Leeds, having been sacked by Saints after a dreadful run of form in the Premier League earlier in the season. Now, a new claim has dropped regarding the situation, with the Whites potentially edging closer to an appointment.

According to Bold [via MOT Leeds News], Leeds have made contact with Mainz boss Bo Henriksen about becoming the new man in charge at Thorp Arch this summer. The 50-year-old Dane is the subject of serious interest from the Whites, with the talks thought to have taken place in the last few weeks.

Henriksen would be an interesting replacement for Farke, should 49ers Enterprises decide to part ways with the current boss, having won the Danish Cup during his spell in charge of FC Midtjylland in 2021/22. His preference is a 3-4-2-1 formation, ensuring he gets the most out of wing-backs, and he likes an attacking style of play with high pressing, which the Elland Road crowd could enjoy.

He has been hailed as “ridiculously good” by Bundesliga commenter Taisto on X, in terms of how he rescued Mainz from likely relegation last season to launch them into sixth place in the Bundesliga this time around, despite losing three first-team starters.

Ultimately, Leeds have a huge decision to make this summer, in terms of whether to stick with Farke or not. While sacking him would be deemed harsh, especially by those looking in from the outside, if the owners don’t believe he is the right man for the Premier League, they need to be ruthless.

In Henriksen, the Whites have lined up a very competent replacement option, with the Mainz manager taking charge of over 500 games across his career.