Leeds new manager contender reacts publicly as 49ers sound out deal
Daniel Farke may be sacked by Leeds despite leading them back into the Premier League.
The 49ers ownership group are believed to have doubts over the German’s ability to survive in the top-flight after his previous stint with Norwich.
Farke has won just six of the 49 matches that he has managed in the top division and with the step up being higher than ever before, his record is a huge concern.
A potential candidate to replace the 48-year-old has reacted to speculation linking him with the role at Elland Road.
Van Bronckhorst reacts after Leeds job speculation
Former Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst is among the leading contenders to replace Farke if the Whites part ways with the German.
The 50-year-old was asked whether he would be interested in taking over the reins at the newly-promoted club when covering the Champions League tie between Barcelona and Inter Milan on TV in his homeland on Wednesday (30 April).
He responded, saying: “Yes, I read about it, but there’s nothing going on at the moment.
“Are Leeds a nice club? Definitely. I am enjoying life now, but I think it would be nice to be back on the pitch.”
Leeds should back Farke to succeed
Farke’s record in the Premier League is a valid concern but he deserves to be given another chance to crack the elite level.
The Canaries side that he managed had much less quality than the Leeds side right now and he should be backed in the transfer market to improve the squad and see how far he can take it.
| Stats (league) | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points |
| Feyenoord | 85 | 21 | 30 | 276 |
| Guangzhou | 6 | 4 | 10 | 22 |
| Rangers | 28 | 8 | 4 | 92 |
| Besiktas | 6 | 3 | 3 | 21 |
Van Bronckhorst boasts an impressive CV after winning the Scottish Cup and guiding the Gers to the Europa League final, where they ultimately lost to Eintracht Frankfurt.
However, he does not have managerial experience in England and there is no guarantee that he would do a better job than Farke.
The Dutchman’s most recent role was with Besiktas in Turkey where he lasted just five months, being appointed in June 2024 and sacked in the November.
That does not inspire confidence that he could take over in Yorkshire and be an immediate success, which the Whites would need him to be.
Therefore, they would be better off sticking with their current boss rather than appointing the legendary former Barcelona player.