The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Monday 17th November)

Good Morning. It's Monday 17th November, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road

Bo Svensson emerges as odds on favourite

The managerial situation at Leeds United has taken a dramatic twist over the past few days, with betting odds on Bo Svensson replacing the current incumbent shortening to evens (1/1) with talkSPORT Bets, a figure that suggests the move is seen as a real possibility rather than idle speculation. Just several days ago, Svensson’s name wasn’t even on the radar of bookmakers, making this sudden surge notable in both betting and football circles.

Svensson, a 46-year-old Dane with a distinguished background as both defender and coach, most recently served as head coach at Bundesliga outfit Union Berlin. Before that, his most high-profile tenure was at Mainz 05, where he inherited a side rooted to the foot of the Bundesliga table in 2021 and steered them to safety against the odds. His coaching journey also includes a spell at Austria’s FC Liefering (2019–2021), a feeder club for Red Bull Salzburg. This Red Bull connection could prove significant given Red Bull 10% stake in Leeds United, a minority holding that, while not controlling, potentially influences recruitment thinking.

The current Leeds boss has reportedly been under pressure for weeks. According to the Daily Mail, widely perceived as an outlet with close links to the club’s ownership group 49ers Enterprises, the head coach was given a five-match window to turn results around before the Nottingham Forest fixture. That match ended in a heavy defeat, leaving Leeds with upcoming fixtures against Aston Villa, Manchester City, Chelsea, and Liverpool.

The Aston Villa tie now looms as a potential tipping point. Should Leeds fail to secure points, their average will dip below one point per game, a metric often suggested around Elland Road to assess Farke's performance level. Falling under that threshold could trigger swift action from the 49ers hierarchy, who are well aware of the importance of not being dragged into the regegation zone.

From an odds perspective, bookmakers’ markets are now firmly leaning towards Svensson. An even-money quote implies a 50% implied probability — remarkable considering that Marco Rose, Brendan Rodgers, Carlos Corberán, Gary O’Neil, and Steven Gerrard comprise the chasing pack, all at significantly longer prices. While odds alone should never be mistaken for fact, sudden shifts of this magnitude often signal credible information entering the market, whether through agent manoeuvring, internal discussions, or media briefings.

If Villa inflict further misery, the combination of poor form, a pre-set review period, and an available, well-connected candidate with Bundesliga pedigree could prove irresistible. For now, Svensson has jumped from a complete outsider to the most-likely successor — and in football’s fast-moving world, such shifts rarely happen without reason.

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Leeds hold advantage on on Maeda pursuit

With the January transfer window fast approaching, Leeds United are desperate to add quality in their final third if they are to avoid the drop. Joe Rodon, Lukas Nmecha and Noah Okafor lead the goal tally for the Whites with two apiece whilst Anton Stach, Brenden Aaronson, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Sean Longstaff have also found the target.

It now appears that Leeds could hold significant advantage in the race to sign Celtic hitman Daizen Maeda, with a deal reportedly valued at around £15 million. The Yorkshire club have made no secret of their need for extra firepower, especially after links to Ivan Toney faded following Fabrizio Romano’s latest update, which all but ruled out a move for the former Brentford striker.

Maeda, 28, is coming off an outstanding 24/25 campaign in Scotland, netting 20 goals in all competitions and adding relentless work rate, versatility, and incisive movement to his attacking game. Capable of playing centrally or on either flank, the Japanese international has impressed with his high pressing, willingness to challenge physically, and a sharp eye for goal.

While Everton and West Ham also have the Celtic star on their radar, Leeds may have a unique edge thanks to Maeda’s close friendship with ER favourite Ao Tanaka. The pair being long-time Japan national team colleagues and often publicly interacting on social media. Since joining Celtic, Maeda has scored more than 40 goals and ranked among the Scottish Premiership’s top 10 for shots on target last season, offering a dynamic threat that could surpass the output of strikers such as Dominic Calvert-Lewin or Nmecha.

At £15 million, his signing would be viewed as excellent value in today’s market, and Leeds’ hierarchy will be keen to use Tanaka’s influence as a persuasive factor. For the 49ers-backed owners, January could prove decisive in reshaping the season, and clinching Maeda’s signature might just be the attacking spark the club needs to push up the table.

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Morning all

I had to Wikki Bo Svensson and I started to get a warm feeling for him until I hit the line left by mutual consent after nine games without a win and then the Union Berlin record, followed by unemployed for 11 months. If the owners do ditch Farke for this guy then I am jumping to Eires side of the fence

 

Wasnt he the guy who sat Aaronson on the bench rather than play him at Berlin?

Just love the way that Red Bull are always wheeled out as if it gives credence to every story?

 

Morning

If the odds are even, then the press have got their hands on something. I'm surprised it's not all over the press yet. I'm not counting the TalkSports betting site as a reliable source.

Maieda is an interesting link. We were linked with him in the summer, along with a Japanese player at Sporting Lisbon as well. Maieda is a left winger so I'm assuming that we're getting rid of somebody. The question is Gnonto or Harrison?

 

Left Duracell on the bench!!!
He must have some coaching skills then

 

Morning all

 

I'm with Eire...

 

What are you both up to then on this chilly morning

 

Well I’m in Applegreen having my lunch. Anxiously looking around me looking for Matt but can’t spot him anywhere

 

Harry Gray wanted by a few championship clubs on loan and if he goes to Hull as understudy to Ollie McBurnie that would be 6 Leeds players in the Hull squad.

• McBurnie
• Lewie Coyle
• Cody Drameh
• Joe Gelhardt
• Darko Gyabi

 

Gnotot I reckon. Currently can’t get in the squad over Harrison and the only player we’d get some money for. Maeda has a good record and played in the CL so worth a punt. An upgraded squad option worse case scenario, best case he can play anywhere in the front line so should take a starting spot from one of the current starters. Issue is Maeda main position is left winger and we already have 3 options on that side so something doesn’t add up with the rumour, makes me think it’s false.

I’d expect Meslier to go in Jan too and us to pick up Wilson. Weakens an opponent and strengthens our right. I wouldn’t mind us getting another CDM too as I don’t think any of our midfield options look the part at the minute, Stach and Ampadu looking weak and not sure if Stach even is a CDM. But doubt we’ll by 3. 1 or 2 at most in Jan.

 

Maybe it’s time DF used the tools he has properly as he has 2 full backs who are really wing backs and don’t defend as good full backs should. The idea of wing backs was really introduced into a back 5 and let’s face it the way we are shipping goals why not have Rodon, Bijol and Struijk together backed by the wing backs. All 3 are good enough to push up and support midfield. That way we dont need 3 DMs…. He has to do something

 

The only flaw in that is we’ve always looked **** when playing a back three and if DF is as bad a coach as you maintain he is then what makes you think he can drill a new system into the players if he’s failing with his preferred set ups?