Norwich City vs Leeds United press conference live: Farke previews Canaries return amid injury update

LEEDS, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 23: Leeds United Manager Daniel Farke celebrates after the Sky Bet Championship match between Leeds United and Watford at Elland Road on September 23, 2023 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images)

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke hosts his pre-Norwich City press conference this afternoon from the club’s training base at Thorp Arch.

Farke is expected to provide an update on the availability of injured players Willy Gnonto, Djed Spence, Junior Firpo and Jamie Shackleton, all of whom missed the Whites’ 2-1 victory over Bristol City prior to the international break. Also on the agenda will be Farke’s return to his old stomping ground, where he enjoyed two promotions as second tier champion with the Norfolk club.

The German’s reception could be mixed after comments made upon taking the Leeds job, insinuating that the Whites are a bigger club with greater resources than his previous employers, although the 46-year-old is likely to be unfazed, focused entirely on returning to West Yorkshire with three points in tow.

Defender Sam Byram also spent a number of seasons with the Canaries and, fitness permitting, will be expected to start on Saturday afternoon.

All the updates from Farke’s presser this afternoon will filter through here. It is scheduled to be underway from 1:30pm.

Leeds United press conference LIVE: Daniel Farke previews Norwich

Key Events

Farke returns to Carrow Road
Updates on Gnonto, Spence and other injured players

Thu, 19 Oct, 2023, 14:00 BST

Farke on being comfortable in England

It’s always difficult to judge it in general because yes there are always difficulties in each and every country but I love everything here, the approach, intensity, physicality. Our approach is not so soft, no cheating, no diving, no time-wasting, maybe a bit at times, many of the best coaches in the world are working here, many of the best players in the world. If you want to be good at your job you don’t want to play in an easy league, you want to compete with the best. This is my approach. Maybe in twenty years I’ll want to see the sun a bit more.

Thu, 19 Oct, 2023, 13:59 BST

Farke on whether he could see an England return after Norwich exit

You never know in this job. Yes, with my German origin, the Bundesliga is a pretty interesting league but if I’m honest, I was hoping. I love it here, the motherland of football. England is my second home, I love how honest the football is. The Premier League is by far the best league in the world, the Championship is the toughest league in the world.

Thu, 19 Oct, 2023, 13:56 BST

Farke on learning and developing as a coach

I think when you watch back each and every week you have things you’d do in a different way. I have to be there with hundreds of decisions every week, which players to play, to sign, how to train, many small and little tiny decisions. After you think, should have done this a different way. Once you think right now as a manager, ‘now I know everything’ you should retire, you are a dinosaur. You have to always develop and be ahead of the wave. I’m not greedy I’m open to learn and develop. Let’s see, hopefully it lasts a while that I keep improving. My time in each and every position I’ve learned.