Credit: Manh Tung/Imago

Jacob Raw

Fri 15 May 2026 16:58, UK

Marcelo Bielsa could make a stunning return to Leeds United later this summer after Daniel Farke‘s wild comments at his press conference this Friday.

The Whites face Brighton at Elland Road this weekend, and it should be an enjoyable game considering Premier League survival has been achieved.

However, uncertainty around Farke’s future remains, as the Leeds boss came out with some rather unexpected words, suggesting he may not be the man that the 49ers want moving forward.

Paraag Marathe and Co. considered ditching the German head coach last summer despite seeing him lead the Whited back to the promised land, before almost pulling the trigger again in the winter.

Bielsa’s return to Leeds has been questioned several times, and despite his duties with Uruguay this summer, he could head to Elland Road once the World Cup finishes.

What did Daniel Farke say about Leeds future and why Marcelo Bielsa?

While speaking at his pre-match press conference for the Brighton game, Farke was once again quizzed on his future in LS11.

The Leeds boss said, as quoted by BBC Sport: “I’m ambitious and this is quite important for me going forward”

“I’m not the right choice if it’s about maintaining the status quo. I have to be convinced of a project and I am at my best when I buy into a project. I can be picky and choose what I am convinced of.”

Bielsa was linked to Leeds earlier in the season when doubts about Farke’s future were present, but for the wrong reasons.

The Whites were looking destined for relegation at one point under the former Norwich City boss, as his recent comments prove things have done a 180 at Elland Road.

Had Bielsa made himself available, he may have come back to Leeds. However, the Uruguay boss denied return rumours middway through the Premier League season, admitting his full focus was on his national team.

Bielsa has won three trophies as a manager, and if Farke were to leave, the former could be the perfect replacement for multiple reasons.

This is why Bielsa return can still happen despite World Cup interference

The World Cup starts in the early stages of June before finishing on 19 July, which makes Bielsa’s possible return to Leeds interesting.

Uruguay are in Group H of the competition, and didn’t make it out of the group stage of the 2022 World Cup, as a successful run would be hard for Bielsa to orchestrate.

This means he will most likely be out of the World Cup long before the final and available for Leeds to contact over a possibly vacant role.

Farke at Leeds:

• Win percentage: 53%
• Points per game: 1.8
• Time at club: July 2023 – Present

It’s unlikely that Farke will leave Leeds in the next couple of weeks, but after reflection in the summer, if he and the 49ers aren’t on the same page, then it could happen.

There are very few names out there that will inspire the Whites, but Bielsa is someone who fans would immediately get behind, as his return home cannot be ruled out of the equation just yet.