Daniel Farke has warned his Leeds players he will be tough with them, insisting: “I’m not here to win the Nobel Peace Prize.”
Farke has called on his squad to train like their next game is a Champions League Final because he wants everyone in top condition over the busy Christmas and New Year period. The Leeds boss insists he will not make changes for changes sake, despite their shock midweek loss at Sunderland, for Saturday's clash with Coventry at Elland Road.
“My general thoughts are that you use the whole squad,” he said. “But I’m not a big believer of in-out, in-out. If you perform, you keep your position. But you cannot afford to have two or three bad games in a row. It’s a question of momentum.
“You have to make sure you train to a good level, like it’s a Champions League Final.
“It’s a tough business and there’s a lot of competition. I’m not here to win the Nobel Peace Prize, I’m here to win football matches.”
Transfer news live - Fernandez flying in for Chelsea and Man Utd land SabitzerFarke has noted Mark Robins’ six-year reign at Coventry, which is the Championship’s longest, and says it would mean he has been a success at Leeds if he can emulate him.
Farke, who took over Leeds in July, is highly impressed by Robins’ time at Coventry and says he would have achieved all his goals if he stayed that long at Elland Road.
“This job comes with a lot of pressure,” said the German. “I’ve been here six months and it feels like six years! I love it.
“If I’m allowed to be here in six years, it would mean we have achieved our targets.
“I rate Mark very highly. He’s doing a wonderful job with limited resources and last season they got to the play-off final. They’re on a good run and are a pretty-dangerous opponent. I have a lot of respect for Mark’s work.”