At the pre match press conference for the Ipswich game Farke was asked about Gnonto's refusal to play and subsequent reintegration to training with first team.
It would have been easy for him to swat the question aside saying it was an internal disciplinary matter and make no further comment, but no, Farke spoke for close to 8 minutes giving lots of detail about what has gone on behind the scenes.
His comments also give some insight as to how things are now being done at Leeds and it is clear that Farke is running the show as far as first team matters are concerned and is happy with the backing he is getting from the ownership.
He speaks rapidly so need to listen carefully but its worth it because what he has to say is revealing. It seems we are in good hands with this manager.
He starts talking about Gnonto 5 mins 45 seconds in.
https://video.leedsunited.com/video/dm9kJTdDMF9nYWV2ZDVueiU3QyUyRnBhZ2UlM0ZzbHVnJTNEaG9tZSU3Q2hvbWUlMkZsaXN0JTJGMCUyRmZlZWQ%3D
Farke Gives Detail On Gnonto Situation
posted on 25/8/23
Forgetting Farke
Zero apology to the fans
Zero transparency with regards to any fine
Kept the same agent
Disappointed!!
posted on 25/8/23
comment by Kebablegs (U17699)
posted 49 minutes ago
Forgetting Farke
Zero apology to the fans
Zero transparency with regards to any fine
Kept the same agent
Disappointed!!
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I dont mind fine is not disclosed, but a lack of apology from player to fans is very poor.
Of course he goes and apologises to Farke, he knows his behaviour hasn't gotten him the desired outcome and there is no other way he will play.
posted on 25/8/23
I would have preferred Willy to donate 2 weeks wages to local charities with a picture of him visiting one along with a brief apology to fans. Plus he changes agent.
Think there will be a fair few fans boo him tomorrow if he plays
posted on 25/8/23
Donating to charity, some would criticise as a PR move, so he can’t win either way
Obviously he’s got a contract with existing agent he can’t just break .. know he tried that with us but doesn’t mean he’d succeed with that one either. So unrealistic to expect that. Might be a decision he SHOULD make and maybe he will in due course, but we’ll never know how long he’s tied into that, unless he does announce something later on.
Verbal apology? Hmmm, maybe we might get that in due course…. If he comes on and scores the winning goal and gets interviewed post-match… would be interesting to see what’s he’s asked and how he responds. In such a situation he’s have the opportunity. Not to take it would be foolish.
posted on 25/8/23
"Obviously he’s got a contract with existing agent he can’t just break "
he could refuse to meet him, like he refused to play for us...see if it works!
"Verbal apology? Hmmm, maybe we might get that in due course"
I dont want one of these crappy written statements with an MOT on teh end.
Can be recorded on iPhone, nothing special, just something off teh cuff and genuine:
"I've loved being at Leeds, fans have been great, been made really welcome, so it was tough to think about moving but I thought it was right thing for my career. I'm sorry I did it the way I did, on reflection I wish I had realised what a great opportunity I have hear, so I apologised to my manager, my team mates but most of all the fans who have always supported me, even with that silly song. I can only apologise again and promise you will see the best of my efforts to get us promoted again and prove to you that I want to be here and want to be part of the team".
posted on 25/8/23
Get all that Jonty. Am wondering whether the agent is still wielding power they shouldn’t have, to stop him from saying all that that you suggest, as to say that would effectively undermine the agents own credibility. Yes, they work for Gnonto not the other way around, but it’s amazing how much power these agents appear to have over their own clients. Don’t quite understand it.
posted on 26/8/23
comment by salonika73 (U4688)
posted 2 hours, 1 minute ago
Get all that Jonty. Am wondering whether the agent is still wielding power they shouldn’t have, to stop him from saying all that that you suggest, as to say that would effectively undermine the agents own credibility. Yes, they work for Gnonto not the other way around, but it’s amazing how much power these agents appear to have over their own clients. Don’t quite understand it.
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Needs a good mentor.
Could imagine someone like Pablo would have been great for that.
posted on 26/8/23
What some of the idiots at the ground and on here are forgetting and DF said right at the begining of the press conference is that he is a 19 year old boy. Not a full grown adult.
Why are we expecting a kid to act like an adult when quite frankly others don't.
posted on 26/8/23
He's 19, that's an adult by any definition in the UK.
At what age would you say someone is a "full grown adult"?
He's an adult, just a young one.
posted on 26/8/23
He's inexperienced and probably relying on advice from a money hungry advisor. He's also seeing others leaving and like a young adult/kid, wants/wanted similar.
Agree with Els ... giving him stick is dull. If DF has managed to bring him round and back into the fold, then if we're all happy enough with DF then trust that judgement.
The perennial need for things to be unhappy about amazes me.