Norwich City boss David Wagner in need of fans' trust, says Mario Vrancic

Daniel Farke (left) and David Wagner have not previously faced each other as managers

Daniel Farke returns to Carrow Road for the first time on Saturday as boss of Leeds United, two years since being sacked as Norwich City head coach.

Farke's fifth-placed Leeds are two points and two places better off than David Wagner's Canaries.

But ex-Canaries star Mario Vrancic, who has played for both men, says City fans should not be too stressed about the return of their former boss.

"You have to deal with it. It's common in football these days," said Vrancic.

The 34-year-old Bosnia international won promotion to the German third tier playing for Wagner's Borussia Dortmund II in 2011-12.

"You just need to trust him," added Vrancic, who now plays for FK Sarajevo in his home country.

He told BBC Radio Norfolk: "I remember playing under him. Before the winter break we were eighth or ninth in the table.

"In the second half of the season we won 19 games out of 21 and got promoted.

"You just need to be patient. I think he's a great manager. His record proves that."

Vrancic scored twice for Norwich in a 3-1 win at Leeds in February 2019

Vrancic subsequently became one of the Farke's first signings when he joined Norwich in June 2017.

And he enjoyed the best moments of his career under Farke, hitting 10 goals in their promotion season in 2018-19, including two in a 3-1 win over Leeds at Elland Road.

"It was one of the most important games of my life," he said. "For me, it was in the top three highlights of my career.

"Daniel is a great manager, a great guy and human being.

"I'm very happy he got the chance to work for a big club like Leeds United."

Both Norwich and Leeds have had mixed starts to the season.

The Canaries started the season brightly before defeats at Rotherham and Plymouth dented their progress.

Leeds started slowly following Farke's summer appointment, but back-to-back wins before the international break moved them into the Championship's top six.

With the return of Farke, who had so much success at Norwich prior to his sacking in November 2021, some fans are making the comparison with Wagner.

But Vrancic has a simple message going into Saturday's game.

"Just enjoy it," he said. "That's the most important thing in football.

"For the players, leave your hearts on the pitch and everything will be fine."