Credit: Imago

Richie Mills

Thu 12 March 2026 17:10, UK

Daniel Farke’s Leeds United future is far from certain as they try to stave off relegation from the Premier League.

Since the German arrived at Elland Road in 2023, the former Norwich City boss has steadied a troublesome Leeds ship, before guiding them to Premier League promotion at the second time of asking.

For much of the winter period, Leeds kept the relegation zone at arm’s length. However, West Ham’s upturn in form and a few too many draws over wins, with the odd loss scattered in, has left Leeds just three points above the bottom three with nine matches to go.

Leeds face two huge Premier League fixtures in the next fortnight against Crystal Palace and Brentford. If they fail to win either of those, Farke will be under pressure. To determine how much pressure, MOT Leeds News has taken a closer look at his current situation.

49ers’ mixed messages on Daniel Farke

Right after Leeds’ Premier League promotion was confirmed in May of last year, the Daily Mail reported that Leeds were considering sacking Farke due to concerns about his top-flight record.

While the German had twice won the Championship with Norwich, he was unable to keep them in the Premier League at the first attempt, and then he was sacked after a slow start to his second bite at the cherry in the English first tier.

Indeed, a record of six wins in 49 games does not make for pleasant reading.

Leeds owners, the 49ers Enterprises, took their time before responding to these rumours, with chairman Paraag Marathe eventually swatting away such speculation after Leeds’ Championship title was secured.

Fast forward to early December, and calls for Farke’s sacking grew louder than ever after four straight league losses. Fortunately for Farke, he altered his 4-2-3-1 formation to a 3-5-2, and the results paid dividends as they put daylight between them and the bottom three in December.

Leeds figureheads reportedly flew to England after the 3-2 loss to Manchester City on 29 November to discuss Farke’s future but the 49-year-old survived.

If Leeds did consider sacking Farke after a Championship win, it may not shock many to see him moved on even if they secure Premier League safety.

Contract blow for Leeds boss Farke

Farke signed a four-year contract with Leeds back in 2023, meaning he is nearing the last 12 months of his Elland Road deal.

Many Leeds fans would argue that the former Borussia Mönchengladbach manager has done well at LS11, particularly as he has made the Whites hard to beat in recent months and there is a case to say he wasn’t sufficiently backed in the transfer market.

Sporting director Adam Underwood said Leeds maxed out in terms of the league’s Profit and Sustainability Rules in the summer and now, earlier this month, reports claimed that talks over Farke’s future at Leeds had been put on hold until the end of the season.

He is keen to remain at Leeds and seal a new deal but that will not be forthcoming if they don’t stay up. And even if they do stay up, there is no guarantee the 49ers will stick with Farke. After all, football is a brutal business. For now, Leeds are taking a wait-and-see attitude with Farke.

Who could replace Farke if he is sacked?

Former RB Leipzig boss Marco Rose is among the potential favourites to succeed Farke if the 49ers swing the axe.

The former Mainz player spent two-and-a-half years at the Bundesliga outfit, where he won the DFB-Pokal and the DFL Supercup in 2023.

The ex-Borussia Dortmund manager was sacked by Leipzig a year ago, off the back of below-par performances in the league and Champions League. And it seems he may be waiting in the wings for Leeds.

Former Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers, who is currently the head coach of Saudi Pro League side Al Qadsiah, has been linked as well.

Right now, Leeds fans are nervous. In the league, the goals are somewhat drying up after two goalless outings in defeats to Manchester City and Sunderland.

West Ham are in danger of overhauling them, with Leeds hopeful of lowly rivals Tottenham and Nottingham Forest staying below them. Leeds’ owners have the ambition to return the club to its former glory, where they qualified for Europe and challenged for trophies, and their plans to revamp their stadium are part of that vision.

It does feel that Farke has a lower ceiling than that, but he should be commended for his tactical tweaks, improving game management, and the battling qualities his players now show. However, he still can be too tentative and that may cost him going forward.