Farke says relax, as speculation surfaces following City’s fine form
Daniel Farke is keeping calm about the speculation over Stuart Webber and Teemu Pukki Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
Norwich City must get used to other clubs being interested in their key men if they want to continue being successful this season, head coach Daniel Farke has admitted.
In recent days media reports in Turkey have suggested Galatasaray are monitoring the superb form of 10-goal striker Teemu Pukki and national newspaper the Telegraph have claimed Premier League side Southampton are considering making an approach for sporting director Stuart Webber.
With the Canaries sitting top of the Championship, after nine wins from their last 11 league games, Farke is not worried about the speculation as he presses on with warm weather training in Florida.
'I'm really pretty relaxed because that always happens in football, I've been working in the game since the age of 18 and it's always the same,' the German said, speaking from City's base in Tampa.
'When you have a period when you are successful and things are looking good in games, it's always that players, coaches or staff are in the spotlight and there are rumours or speculation that perhaps some other clubs look and think they are doing a good job.
'To be honest it's a situation we wanted, we wanted to be successful, to be there with good performances.
'So other clubs could look at our players and think they are a good fit for their situation but I'm pretty relaxed, all the contracts are signed on long terms.
Most Read
- 1 Norfolk beach named among UK's most contaminated
- 2 Revealed: Buyer of Norwich Airport Industrial Estate - and what they paid
- 3 New reservoir could secure region's water supply - but will cost over £1bn
- 4 Overnight works on stretch of A47 prompt 50-mile diversion for two weeks
- 5 Neighbours describe axe brawl in Norfolk village
- 6 A-levels 2022: All the results from Norfolk and Waveney
- 7 Man in his 20s dies after hit-and-run
- 8 Crews battle overnight house fire in north Norfolk
- 9 Several roads closed in King's Lynn due to crash and police incident
- 10 Man in 20s killed and another seriously injured in motorbike crash
'It's quite normal, I'm not concerned, it's more of a good sign to be honest.'
After recovering from their long nine-hour flight to the US with some downtime on Tuesday – including tours of the homes of American football team the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and ice hockey franchise the Tampa Bay Lightning – full training began with a 'pretty tough session' yesterday.
'Tuesday was more for the players to have time off and the staff, we used the first day to visit the Buccaneers and the ice hockey stadium,' Farke continued.
'It's good to get some new influences and experiences from other sports teams.
'We had several meetings, for example with the analysis group to plan some things, so a more relaxed day for the staff and players but it was quite nice.'