Jermaine Pennant implies sacking Farke despite promotion could be the right decision

Jermaine Pennant has a past at both Leeds, Stoke and Birmingham, and we caught up with the Englishman to talk a bit about the status of the three clubs.

All three of these teams are in very different situations. Leeds are playing in the Premier League next season after securing a top-two spot, Birmingham have earned promotion to the Championship, and Stoke are fighting for their life at the bottom of the Championship to avoid relegation.

Pennant shared his view on all three in this interview with AceOdds.

Sacking Farke could be the right decision despite achieving promotion

Leeds achieved promotion to the Premier League recently and Daniel Farke has been a big success since his arrival at Elland Road. However, despite doing very well, rumours have appeared that Leeds are considering sacking Farke, which could be the right decision, according to Pennant.

"It's a tough one because I understand where the board is coming from. His record speaks volumes. He can get out of the Championship, no problem. We've seen it with Norwich."

"But when he comes to the Premier League, it's one step too far and he ends up getting relegated. Leeds have got ambitions. They're probably thinking, 'right, we want to take that risk'. Can he keep us up there as his track record doesn't suggest that he can."

"So I can see where they're coming from. They want someone who's more established in the Premier League and has PL experience."

Pennant emphasises that even though it could be the right decision, Leeds has to think it through very carefully.

"On the flip side of it, Farke just got you promoted. So it's a tough one. It's a conversation that they really got to think about because in the Premier League, you really have to get everything right, with signings, with managers, to keep you in there."

Birmingham should aim for back-to-back promotion

Birmingham have secured promotion to the Championship, but the club has a proud history of being a Premier League team, and Pennant has urged them to aim for promotion again given the financial resources they possess.

"If you've got money, if you've got the backing, then anything's possible. If they spend well, if they get the right players in. When you're in the Premier League or the Championship, you need to have the right players for those leagues. People say we bought well for the Championship, but when you get to the Premier League, you falter."

"So they need to get players who can get them up in the Championship and when they get to the Premier League, reinvest again to stay in the Prem. They've got the backing, they've got the money, they've got the funds. I think they've got every right to have the chance and hope for back-to-back promotions to get into the Premier League."

Furthermore, Pennant believes Birmingham should stick with manager Chris Davies, who has done a great job in getting the club promoted.

“Football isn’t just about getting the big name and they’ll work as a manager. They’ve admitted they made a mistake in sacking John Eustace because he had them in the playoffs at the time. If it’s not broken, don't fix it.”

“Davies got them promoted so I think they’ll stick with him, back him in the market, hopefully keep them on the trajectory they’re on and do one better. Get them in the Premier League. It’s a gruesome league only hardened by the relegated Premier League teams coming back down.”

One of Birmingham´s biggest stars has been striker Jay Stansfield, and Pennant is confident that the forward can keep delivering in the Championship, as he has already proved his worth in that league in the past.

“Stansfield was already getting good numbers when he was in The Championship before. He can do it for sure, and he’s had a full season with the club; he’ll do well again. He’s a great signing and his goals have justified the price tag. He’s not a League One player, he's a Championship player.”

Pennant isn´t confident that Stoke can stay up

The former Stoke player reckons that Stoke has fallen into a bad spiral after they were relegated from the Premier League back in 2018, and he isn't sure whether the club can stay up in the Championship, as their recent form hasn't been great.

“It’s been a weird time for the club since their relegation. When some teams get relegated from the Premier League, they end up in a downward spiral and find it difficult to gather any sort of momentum or the right players. Stoke have fallen foul of that.”

“Can they stay up? Recent form doesn’t suggest that, but it’s a big club and a really good fan base. They have to give it their all. Anyone can beat anyone in The Championship on their day, so it’ll be an interesting final day.”

Despite not having performed well as a unit, Stoke´s goalkeeper Viktor Johansson has been very good this season, and Pennant believes that the Swede will find a new club in the Championship if Stoke end up getting relegated to the third tier.

“He’s a good goalkeeper. In a team like Stoke, sometimes when you’re losing week in week out, but as an individual, if you’re putting in good performances, it doesn’t go unnoticed.”

“He’s a good shot stopper, and he’s good with the ball at his feet. Young too. If they go down, he’d be one that stays in The Championship.”

Read Pennant's thoughts on what went wrong for Arsenal this season