Norwich faith in Farke pays big dividends
of how much he has enjoyed working day to day with the Leinster squad, an invitation to work at Test level again with Farrell may prove hard to resist, even with roles reversed from their three years together with England.
Farrell has big boots to follow as Schmidt, in a green clean sweep at the World Rugby awards on Sunday night, was named coach of the year. Ireland were hailed as team of the year and Johnny Sexton player of the year. Schmidt, 53, intends to walk away from the sport at the top having decided to spend more time with his family including his teenage son who has epilepsy.
“I have decided to finish coaching and will prioritise family commitments after the Rugby World Cup in 2019,” he said.
“I feel that Irish rugby is in good hands. The coaches have been fantastic to work with and Andy has made a big impact since coming into the group. His ability to lead and his understanding of the game will ensure that the group will continue to move forward.
“There are some inspiring challenges over the next 11 months so there’s plenty of motivation for me to continue working hard, alongside the other management staff, so that the team can be as competitive as possible.” ON August 25, Norwich were played off the park by Leeds at Carrow Road, losing 3-0 having already let in four in a home defeat by West Brom.
Just over three months later they kick off tonight at Hull on top of the Championship with a two-point lead over Middlesbrough.
How could this have happened? How could a side that started so unspectacularly now be returning from places like Swansea and Sheffield Wednesday with resounding victories?
The short answer is that the Canaries hierarchy resisted the temptation to lose faith in Daniel Farke, the German coach brought in to replicate the success at Huddersfield of David Wagner – Farke’s predecessor in charge of the Borussia Dortmund second team.
Farke’s first season Neil’s successor, the campaign, ended with Canaries 14th, a full 15 points shy of the playoffs. It also coincided with the sale of James Maddison to Leicester for £22million, who was the undisputed star in Norwich’s unpredictable side last season.
Farke was able to use that money to sign a number of players across all positions that summer. One, the young Argentine winger Emi Buendia, is arguably already as exciting as Maddison but in the main the newcomers have been effective rather than spectacular, team players who have made a team in accordance with Farke’s meticulous instructions on the training ground.
“It is not a coincidence,” said Farke when asked about his side’s position at the summit. “It is not like we are three games in, we are more or less one-third through the season. We know each and every win and result is based on hard work. A small situation can decide a game in a different as Alex 2017-18 the direction. We are pretty focused and disciplined in the small moments.” And “the small moments” – the split-second decisions a player must make when a goal is possible, for either side – is a very Farke phrase.
Many of those, in the opposition box at least, have fallen to Teemu Pukki, the Finland striker, whose previous clubs included Sevilla and Schalke but who returned to Britain as a man who had flopped at Celtic in his one season in Scotland in 2013-14.
Pukki is neither quick, super skilful or mega powerful yet has 11 goals from 15 league games this season. He fits into Farke’s 4-2-3-1 system perfectly and Jordan Rhodes, a prolific scorer at this level, spends most of his time as a sub as a result.
Many of Farke’s recruits have joined him from the Bundesliga. One of them, Marco Stiepermann, fills the playmaker void left by Maddison’s exit. And he is enjoying a more productive season than his first, although his goal in Saturday’s 4-1 win at Swansea was his first this term. “James Maddison is the best player I’ve ever seen, so don’t compare me with him,” said Stiepermann afterwards. “When I can play there I give my best but also, when I have to play left-back, I give my best. It’s just not my best position.” Stiepermann need not worry about the latter. Farke has also been willing to let youngsters have a go and has been rewarded handsomely by the performances of left-back Jamal Lewis, 20, plus right-back Max Aarons, who is two years younger. The duo have added much-needed energy to the side; Lewis was an elite-level 800m and 1500m athlete. Norwich will try to carry on coping with the “small moments” and see if they add up to one big one come May.