Credit: Imago

Richie Mills

Sun 3 May 2026 11:40, UK

Daniel Farke would have watched on with envy when Leeds United‘s rivals pipped them to promotion in 2024.

The German injected a refreshing dose of tranquillity when he joined Leeds in 2023, although he would soon opine that the club he had joined was one of the most “emotional” in Europe.

With the likes of Wilfried Gnonto, Dan James, Georginio Rutter, Joel Piroe, and Crysencio Summerville, in particular, Leeds mounted a charge for an immediate Premier League return.

But Enzo Maresca’s Leicester City and Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich Town pipped them to the automatic spots and then Russell Martin’s Southampton beat them in the play-off final at Wembley.

Fast forward to the present, though, and Farke’s Leeds may have outshone them all as the Whites close in on a second straight season in the Premier League.

Daniel Farke stays as opponents come and go

When a star-studded Leicester, by Championship standards, claimed the league title and McKenna masterminded Ipswich’s stunning rise to second, Farke’s Leeds were too one-dimensional.

The German relied too heavily on his individuals winning games, something Martin’s Southampton exploited on three occasions in 2023-24.

Maresca jumped ship to Chelsea in the summer of 2024, while Martin got sacked by Southampton midway through the following season as he refused to budge from his rigid footballing philosophy.

Ipswich fizzled out quickly on their Premier League return as McKenna’s stock dropped, while Leicester muddled through the campaign. All three were relegated meekly.

And Farke? He relied less on Leeds’ individual quality, shared the goals across the entire pitch, and then pipped Scott Parker’s Burnley to the Championship title a year ago on goal difference.

In early May 2026, Martin is out of work after getting sacked by Rangers in October, Parker parted ways with Burnley on Thursday after the Clarets failed to stave off relegation and Leicester are now preparing for League One.

Ipswich have just been promoted back to the Premier League, with quite a low points total for second place, but Farke’s Leeds are on 43 points with three games to go in the top-flight. The German has shown tactical flexibility, improving game management, and a steadiness that looks to have guided the Whites to safety.

Many Leeds fans were appalled when reports emerged that the 49ers were considering sacking Farke just after he had got them promoted.

His record at Norwich City in the Premier League was poor but many would argue the Canaries didn’t give him the necessary tools to mount a survival bid. In the end, Leeds stuck with him, even when it looked bleak in November, and so far it has paid dividends.

Sometimes, patience is a virtue.

What is Farke’s ceiling at Leeds?

Leeds have lofty ambitions under the current ownership.

The 49ers have made the Elland Road stadium expansion plans possible, with the current ground set to be expanded to 53,000 in years to come.

With that ambition comes raised expectations, though. Leeds’ owners will demand more gains next season, now that Premier League safety seems secure.

Maybe a mid-table finish is required. Does Farke have that in him? Leeds will need to make more quality additions to make that possible. But so far, the German is proving the doubters wrong.

He may not take them to their long-term plans in Europe. But for now, keep on backing him, 49ers.