Daniel Farke’s surprise appointment as the new ‘head coach’ of Norwich City confirms that there is a growing stock across Europe for the next big thing – young German coaches.
Farke follows in the footsteps of his countrymen and former Dortmund youth coach David Wagner in joining a Championship side with something to prove. At the time of writing Wagner is about to take his Huddersfield Town side to Wembley for the chance to dine at England’s top table – something unthinkable back in August.
The 40-year-old replaces Alex Neil, who left the club in March, with the canaries finishing a disappointing eighth in the league. Farke’s C.V is not terribly impressive but it is a bold appointment and all eyes will be on him come August.
He spent his playing career in Germany's lower leagues before replacing Wagner as Dortmund's second team coach in 2015.
"I had a really good time with Borussia Dortmund, but Stuart Webber has told me all about Norwich City, its traditions and history, and I know what a great club it is," Farke told the club website.
"The more I know about Norwich City, the more excited I get. I'm very glad to be here and can't wait to get started."
Further north in Huddersfield, Wagner has defied the odds in taking a team with one of the smallest budgets in the league to the playoff final and has already gained a reputation for bringing in good young players at knock down prices.
Australian Aaron Mooy (on loan from Manchester City) has been a class above most teams in the centre of midfield while Collin Quaner (brought in for a minimal fee from Union Berlin) and Elias Kachunga (on loan from Ingolstadt) have proved to be prolific strikers.
Norwich will be hoping that between Farke and sporting director Stuart Webber (who worked at Dortmund with Farke) they can find some untapped talent at similarly cheap prices that will also deliver a playoff spot at the very least.
Willkommen, Daniel! 💛💚
Another young German coach who will no doubt be attracting attention from clubs in Europe’s elite leagues is Hoffenheim’s Julian Nagelsmann.
Despite never playing professional football the 29-year-old has taken the Die Kraichgauer from certain relegation in 2015/16 to the Champions League the season after – on a par with Leicester’s remarkable turnaround under Ranieri.
This season has seen many top flight clubs in Germany succeed with young coaches at the helm – something that doesn’t happen in England (Eddie Howe aside at present). Manuel Baum at Augsburg, Markus Weinzierl at Schalke and Thomas Tuchel at Dortmund have all impressed.
While the debate still goes on regarding giving young coaches in England a chance there will be no change any time soon if Farke proves a success in East Anglia.
