Credit: Imago

Dan Godfrey

Wed 23 April 2025 17:40, UK

Leeds United may be tempted to take their latest crack at the Premier League without Daniel Farke in tow, despite the German securing his third promotion to the English top flight.

The Whites rallied in style on Easter Monday as they hammered Stoke City 6-0 at Elland Road (21 April), just hours before discovering their mathematical promotion was confirmed as Burnley overcame Sheffield United in the later kick-off.

Leeds and Burnley will now battle it out in the final two fixtures for the Championship title, but reports have emerged in the past 24 hours that 49ers Enterprises could consider an alternative to Farke given his sketchy record in the Premier League once promoted (Daily Mail, 23 April).

Leeds suggested to be considering Farke replacement

It may have been at the second attempt following last season’s play-off final heartache, but Farke has ultimately achieved what was demanded of him.

However, according to talkSPORT (23 April), the hierarchy at Elland Road are weighing up potential candidates to succeed the German if they decide to make what would be one of the most brazen managerial sackings in recent English football history.

Farke twice earned promotion with Norwich City in 2019 and 2021, though was dismissed three months into the 2021-22 campaign with his side at the foot of the Premier League table.

The Leeds regime are reportedly impressed with “ruthless” decisions Farke has made of late to ensure his team got over the line, notably including the call to drop Illan Meslier for Karl Darlow following the goalkeeper’s series of mistakes this year.

Potential successors are suggested to be under surveillance from the top at Elland Road, but Farke does not fear his job is on the line having steered the Whites back to the big-time.

Farke deserves benefit of the doubt

If interpreting this situation with head over heart, it can be understood why an ambitious board are at least considering life after Farke.

The report notes the German has after all won just six of his 49 Premier League matches managed so far, and Leeds are under more pressure now as a second successive season in the top flight is set to throw the three promoted clubs from the Championship immediately back down again.

However, the circumstances Farke was in at Norwich should not have dished him too much blame. The most recent Canaries side in the Premier League – who sacked him a third of the way into the campaign – were utterly out of their depth, and no manager was keeping them afloat. They finished on a paltry 22 points that year, with Dean Smith unable to turn the tide at Carrow Road.

Then take a look at the first season Farke spent with Norwich in the Premier League, after which he did keep his job. As shown via Transfermarkt, they had a net spend on transfers of just over £5.5million, investing a total of £7.5million. Even in 2019-20, it’s nowhere near enough spent on the squad to keep a newly-promoted side up, and only an established Crystal Palace had a lower expenditure that season.

For these reasons, Farke deserves a chance, otherwise what was the point in keeping him around after last season’s failure? The 48-year-old has two years remaining on his contract, which should allow him to continue his part of the project, with much larger investment figures than he had shackling him at Norwich.