Norwich City: Paddy Davitt on Daniel Farke return with Leeds

Nearly two years to the month since outgoing sporting director Stuart Webber sat his hand picked head coach down in the bowels of the away dressing room at Brentford to dissolve the partnership, Farke returns to Carrow Road as Leeds boss.

A club who he memorably duelled with in that first unforgettable Championship title win of 2018/19. Who can forget the masterclass at Elland Road, and a 3-1 away league win in a febrile atmosphere, that underlined a squad of unproven youngsters and players sourced from Germany were capable of delivering the most deliciously unexpected title.

When it was good, it was sublime. Many will choose to flag that seismic Premier League win over Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City on a night when Carrow Road had rarely heard such a cacophony of noise in modern times.

But that was one glorious 90 minute episode. What Farke and Webber moulded was a movement. A footballing experiment against the odds woven around a brand of football that has not been replicated in these parts since the German departed. So many games, so many moments in that season of epic highs.

None more so than the joyous scenes in front of City Hall, and on the open top bus tour that followed through Norwich. A city, a county and a fan base united in pride and genuine excitement of what lay ahead back in the Premier League.

But it was not all glitter. Farke failed miserably in the top flight, albeit he barely stood a chance, given the circumspect financial approach to improving a squad which had mastered the Championship only to be found wanting at the highest level.

When Norwich resumed a campaign disrupted by a global pandemic they lost 10 straight league games on the bounce.

A second consecutive Championship title, inspired by the brilliance of Emi Buendia, confirmed Farke’s mastery of the Football League. But a 7-0 humbling at Chelsea early in another Premier League sojourn marked the beginning of the end.

Ironically a 2-1 home defeat to Leeds in October 2021 sealed his fate. Webber had made up his mind. The medicine was administered the following weekend at Brentford, in the aftermath of a first Premier League win of the season.

City’s sporting director has spoken candidly about the pain he felt on a personal level at the break up. Given events since it is hard to escape the feeling something else died that day at Brentford. It was the purity of the ‘project’ conceived and shaped by Webber and Farke.

It was the essence of rowing against the tide, of charting a course which put Norwich ahead of the footballing curve. For a brief period clubs outside the Premier League looked to emulate their success in untapped European markets - before Brexit’s impact - and copy Farke’s bold faith in exposing young talent to the rigours of an unforgiving first team environment.

His harshest critics will tell you Webber lost his way without the man who he appeared to have an almost telepathic understanding in those previous four years. Dean Smith and even David Wagner’s appointments felt more pragmatic in style and approach.

Measured in sustained success on the pitch, and the feeling engendered off it amongst a fan base left giddy by Farke’s Championship achievements, his return this weekend for some will be a source of sorrow.

By common consent he deserved to leave by the front door, not the players' exit at Brentford. Even if justifiable questions on his ability to succeed at Premier League level will only be answered should he navigate Leeds back to the big time, and get the type of backing that was never an option in a self-funded model.

For Farke, his coaching career has never hit the same heights since leaving. There was an ill-fated stint in Russian football at Krasnodar, that ended swiftly due to that country’s invasion of Ukraine.

He lasted one Bundesliga season at Borussia Monchengladbach, before a mid-table finish was deemed failure. But his reputation in England as a Championship specialist ensured he would be viewed as a valuable commodity.

How he is received by those who adored him at Carrow Road on Saturday will be fascinating to study. One suspects an understated arrival a few minutes before kick-off is warmly greeted by those who congregate in the vicinity of the City Stand dug outs. What happens at the final whistle may hinge on the intervening 90 minutes.

Wagner, and this Norwich, have their own agenda, and a Championship season to revive. There can be no sentiment or longing for what has gone.

Farke’s place in the pantheon of Norwich managers is secure. His connection with many of those supporters still strong, and the memories of two Championship title-winning teams he built, vivid. But he is the past. Webber will be the past soon too. Now Norwich’s loyal fan base crave something new, something fresh and exciting.

Perhaps the greatest legacy of Webber and Farke’s Norwich union is the intoxicating mix they forged may become the barometer to judge what emerges next.