They may have stuttered in recent weeks but Norwich are just one point away from promotion to the Premier League but given Leeds’ recent run of results, they may not even need that. That means iconic manager Daniel Farke is almost certain to be managing in the Premier League next season and become just the eighth foreign manager in history to gain promotion to the top flight.
Below we take a look at the illustrious list of managers that Farke is set to join.
Nuno Espirito Santo - Wolves (2018)
Wolves were one of the best teams to ever feature in the Championship last season as they romped home with 99 points. With Portuguese boss Nuno at the helm, and a side that included Ruben Neves, Matt Doherty and Diogo Jota, the rest of the Championship did not stand a chance as they scored 82 goals on their way to the top flight.
The Premier League has also been impressed with Wolves as they have shocked all of the top six at one point or another and are still in the race for seventh place. This club is going places and it should be a great journey to watch.
Slavisa Jokanovic - Fulham & Watford (2018 & 2015)
Slavisa Jokanovic may not have enjoyed quite the same success in the Premier League as Nuno, but he is the only foreign manager to have achieved two promotions to the top tier. Fulham escaped from the play-offs having finished just two points off the automatic promotion places. A 1-0 win over Aston Villa at Wembley was enough for them to regain their Premier League place although that status did not last long.
Watford made it to the Premier League in 2015 alongside Bournemouth and the two clubs have been mainstays ever since. The Hornets were pipped to the Championship title on the final day by Eddie Howe’s men but we will surely see a return of Jokanovic in the second tier over the next few months.
Rafa Benitez - Newcastle (2017)
Rafa Benitez became the first manager to manage in the Championship who had also won the Champions League when he stuck with Newcastle once they had been relegated. With a manager of his quality at the helm and the squad he had at his disposal, promotion was almost a certainty.
They won the league with 94 points, coming up alongside Brighton and Huddersfield and have avoided relegation over the past two seasons under their Spanish gaffer.
David Wagner - Huddersfield (2017)
The biggest shock of the lot. Huddersfield Town got promoted with a minus goal difference and without winning a single game in normal time in the play-offs. Two penalty shootouts got them to the promised land in the unlikeliest of circumstances.
German/American gaffer Wagner took over a side persistently battling relegation and with shrewd signings transformed them into a tight unit that could beat anyone. They snuck into the play-offs and then won them in dramatic fashion and even stayed up in their first Premier League season. Bring back David Wagner.
Aitor Karanka - Middlesbrough (2016)
Boro may have been dull under Aitor Karanka but they were effective in the Championship. They finished second and conceded just 32 goals and although they were pragmatic in the Premier League the defensive tactics just didn’t work and they were relegated in their first season back.
Karanka preceded Benitez as the first Spaniard to achieve promotion to the Premier League.
Roberto Di Matteo - West Brom (2010)
Roberto Di Matteo was only the second foreign manager to win promotion to the Premier League and did so with the Baggies in 2010. A few years later he would be lifting the Champions League trophy with Chelsea but his first assignment was to return Premier League football to The Hawthorns.
He did this as Newcastle romped to the title with 102 points but WBA followed with 92. That was the same season Blackpool won the play-offs and the top flight was painted tangerine the following season. The only Italian to gain promotion to the Premier League - Roberto Di Matteo.
Jean Tigana - Fulham (2001)
The original. The first foreigner to ever get a side into the Premier League is the lesser-known Jean Tigana. The Frenchman lead Fulham to the top flight with a remarkable 101 points with a front two of countryman Louis Saha and Barry Hayles. Vintage.
