Daniel Farke

👤 Coach Bio

Daniel Farke is a German coach renowned for his possession-based approach and patient build-up play. After early coaching roles in Germany, his reputation grew during a successful spell at Norwich City, where he led the club to two EFL Championship titles. Known for implementing a clear tactical identity, Farke moved on to manage Borussia Mönchengladbach before taking charge of Leeds United in 2023.

Throughout his career, Farke has stayed true to his positional style, focusing on control, structure, and methodical attacking play. His influence comes from German positional coaches and his time with Borussia Dortmund’s reserve side.

🧩 Playing Philosophy

Farke’s philosophy centres on:

• Controlling possession through patient, structured build-up.
• Rotational positional play to disorganise opposition defences.
• Progressive, deliberate attacking moves aimed at creating overloads.

Farke aims to dominate the ball to control tempo and positioning, using structured positional patterns over spontaneous improvisation. While some critics label his style as risk-averse, Farke uses possession as both an attacking weapon and a defensive strategy, minimising opposition threat through control.

🔍 Style of Play

In Possession

Farke uses a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3, which builds into a 2-3-5 or 3-2-5 structure in sustained possession.

• Build-Up Phase: The team builds from the back patiently, using the goalkeeper and centre-backs for short combinations. Full-backs often invert or stay deep, depending on opposition pressing. A midfield pivot drops to support, creating a numerical advantage in early phases.
• Progression Phase: Central midfielders provide options in half-spaces, while the wingers hold width to stretch the defensive block. Attacking midfielders rotate between lines to receive and combine.
• Final Third: The attacking shape shifts into a 2-3-5, creating wide and central overloads. Full-backs may underlap, while wide players look to deliver cutbacks or attack the box from advanced positions.

Patience is key. Farke’s teams focus on creating clean openings rather than rushing attacks.

Out of Possession

Farke’s sides defend using a mid-block 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1, focused on shape and positional control.

• Shape: The block is compact horizontally and vertically, designed to restrict central progression.
• Pressing: Farke prefers controlled, zonal pressing, engaging when opponents enter specific zones or make lateral or backward passes.
• Defensive Organisation: Players maintain role discipline and spacing, ensuring rest defence structures are always in place during attacks.

Transitional Moments

• Defensive Transitions: Immediate counter-pressing is prioritised after turnovers, especially in central areas. If the press is bypassed, the team retreats into a compact mid-block.
• Attacking Transitions: Farke’s sides favour regaining composure before advancing, though they can exploit space directly if clear opportunities arise.

Overall, Farke’s transitions are calculated and structured.

⚽️ How to Coach Like Daniel Farke

Farke’s training focuses on structure, repetition, and role clarity.

• Positional Possession Games: Small-sided games emphasise shape, angles, and positional rotations.
• Build-Up Patterns: Rehearsed sequences from goalkeeper through to final third help develop team cohesion in possession phases.
• Pressing Mechanics: Controlled pressing drills focus on collective movement, compactness, and pressing triggers based on opponent patterns.
• Rest Defence Training: Sessions emphasise maintaining cover behind possession, with players drilled to react when attacks break down.
• Scenario-Based Drills: Training replicates real-match moments, ensuring players understand decision-making in context.

Farke believes in coaching players to understand the system rather than relying on individual improvisation.

Drills to coach like Daniel Farke:

👉 Double Box Switch

👉 Playing Out from the Back – Playing Out from Goal Kicks

👉 Pressing Shape – Pressing Units

👉 Defending Counter Attacks – Rest Defence Structure

👥 Player Profiles

Farke recruits technically clean, tactically disciplined players who suit his positional game model.

• Centre-Backs: Must be comfortable progressing play under pressure, with strong decision-making and passing ability.
• Full-Backs: Profiles capable of inverting into midfield or holding width, technically sound with good positional awareness.
• Midfielders: Tactical intelligence and ball retention are critical. Central players must understand when to rotate and hold position.
• Wingers: Must maintain width and stretch the block, contributing both to build-up and box entries.
• Forwards: A linking striker who can drop to combine with midfielders, as well as finishing moves within the box.

Adaptability, patience, and positional understanding are valued over individual flair.

🔑 Key Takeaways for Coaches

• Coach patient, controlled build-up: Use rehearsed patterns to progress play methodically from the back.
• Prioritise positional rotations and structure: Teach players to move based on team shape and not instinct alone.
• Implement a compact mid-block defence: Focus on zonal pressing and rest defence to limit opponent transitions.
• Coach role clarity and repetition: Train players through positional drills that reinforce tactical concepts.
• Control transitions through rest defence: Always maintain protection behind possession to guard against counters.