Daniel Farke’s comments pre-Man City show he’s now become a ‘fire beast’ at Leeds United
Daniel Farke appears to be growing into his role as Leeds United manager ahead of their crunch clash with Manchester City.
Farke was among the favourites to be the first Premier League manager sacked at the start of the season, with Leeds dropping into the relegation zone in November.
While the Elland Road boss would not admit it ahead of Saturday’s game against City, the 3-2 loss to Pep Guardiola’s team on 29 November was a turning point in their season.
From half-time onwards, gone was the rigid 4-3-3 formation and the stance that had got them promotion from the Championship, but was found wanting in the Premier League.
Now, Leeds have a flexible 3-5-2 setup that morphs into four defenders when on the back foot.
Leeds no longer utilise one rigid, uninspiring style. They can score from set pieces, put together beautiful team moves like the one at Sunderland, and most importantly, they have become tough to beat.
Since that Etihad loss, they have tasted defeat just twice in 14 matches, with Leeds now six points above the bottom three.
City are heavy favourites to win this upcoming encounter, but Farke appears to be heading into this game with confidence.
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‘Fire beast’ Daniel Farke is growing in confidence at Leeds
In Farke’s first season at Leeds, he seemed to repeatedly rely on his best players winning matches on their own.
But when the opposition got wise to that, doubled up on their biggest stars, and outthought them, the Whites struggled.
Farke showed more adaptability in his second season as the goals were shared across the entire starting XI.
However, since November, the German’s managerial pedigree has improved again. There is tactical flexibility, and he even goes to the bench earlier, although Leeds fans can still get frustrated with his late substitutions.
After securing creditable away draws at Chelsea and Aston Villa in February, Farke struck a confident figure in his pre-match City presser.
The former Norwich City manager quipped that Dominic Calvert-Lewin is among the strikers not far behind the “best in the world” Erling Haaland.
After Guardiola joked City’s players will have caipirinhas and daiquiris after beating Newcastle United, Farke responded by saying at Leeds we drink “proper pints and beer”.
The previously more reserved Farke, who spoke of having coffee and cake after wins in the Championship, is now resembling the “fire beast” that secured them the second-tier title in 2025.
He is certainly finding his feet at this level but a City defeat, coupled with positive results for their relegation rivals may test that positivity, though.
But as this season progresses, Farke is growing in stature, while still downplaying the importance of that game away at City, when they came from two goals down before losing late on.
He said: “The only thing is more or less that we have grown into the season and also as long as we play on Premier League level, the more the lads also get used to perform on the top level and also the skill to be effective is easier to achieve once you play more often on Premier League level.”
Ethan Ampadu opens up on Farke’s management style
On Leeds United’s new podcast, captain Ethan Ampadu was asked about Farke’s management style, particularly when it came to man-management.
Despite the highs and lows, Farke’s demeanour hasn’t changed a great deal. The German once said Leeds are such an “emotional” club and when calm heads have been needed, Farke has delivered. Never too high, never too low, as the adage goes.
Indeed, Ampadu said Farke is not afraid to lay down the law at Elland Road.
He said: “If there’s a particular moment that he needs to speak to someone about or ask an opinion of to someone of what they did in a certain situation, he will do.
“Interactions have been fairly easy with me, I think. Yeah, it’s relatively good. It’s hopefully mostly nice but he’ll also tell you if you’ve done something wrong; he’s not one to hide away from that. When we’re in the dressing room to just be honest with everyone.”
Currently, Farke is proving the doubters wrong and growing into his role.
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