Credit: The Overlap

Max Wilkins

Thu 7 May 2026 11:10, UK

Gary Neville and Roy Keane are singing off the same hymn sheet about Leeds United as the end of the Premier League season approaches.

The Whites are edging closer to Premier League safety after a year full of ups and downs under Daniel Farke.

A 3-1 win last time out against Burnley all but cemented a place away from the bottom three, while the Clarets face an immediate drop into the Championship.

The LS11 outfit has been given their flowers as a result and can now build, looking ahead to another campaign in the top flight.

Leeds have done well to avoid relegation and have now received special praise from both Neville and Keane.

Gary Neville and Roy Keane impressed with Leeds United progress

The Yorkshire outfit may have secured promotion with the second-tier title last season, but there was still a concern over their place in the Premier League.

As a general rule, promoted sides have seriously struggled among the elites, but Leeds have managed to deal with the pressure this season.

That came off the back of a tactical change from Farke that was required after a frustrating opening to the campaign.

The half-time interval at the Etihad Stadium in November marked a change of the tide that has pushed the Whites to put in some excellent performances.

That was picked up on by Neville as he threw Leeds into the conversation for the most improved team of the season on Stick to Football.

He said: “I think Sunderland could come into that [most improved team] from being in the Championship and being where they are now, and Leeds could come into that.”

Keane was quick to jump in, adding: “You’ve got to give the two teams who have stayed up credit. We see the stats of the promoted teams in the last few years, and we said at the start, could two of them stay up?”

Leeds now look to be safe from relegation and can be proud of their achievements after being written off before the season began.

Ian Wright singles out Daniel Farke for special praise

There were plenty of rumours over the summer suggesting that Farke could be on his way out despite earning promotion.

The rumblings suggested that a new head coach with more experience of the Premier League would be brought in.

That was largely due to the German’s failings with Norwich City previously, but he has proven that he can get the best out of a side in the top tier.

Ian Wright has picked out the manager and has singled him out after Neville and Keane discussed Leeds’ progress.

He said: “Farke has done well, he’s come back. You have to give him credit. He’s left, he’s come back, and now they’re actually here, and they look like a half-decent side. I think he’s done well.”

It’s great to see the Leeds boss finally get some credit for his work in a campaign that has largely gone under the radar.