Daniel Farke caused a splash with his direct and clear message to the 49ers this week
Daniel Farke shows his appreciation to the Leeds United fans(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
Leeds United supporters will be waving goodbye to several players during this weekend’s final home game of the season against Brighton & Hove Albion, but many hope this is not the final hurrah for Daniel Farke.
Such a prospect seems unlikely given the work he has done this season which includes securing survival with three games to spare, reaching an FA Cup semi-final and going unbeaten against Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea in the league.
However, comments on Friday have left the door open on the unthinkable. Farke was very pointed in his stance about the future, stating he needs to be “convinced” by the vision of Leeds owners the 49ers for the next few years.
“My job is done here, and there’s nothing to add anymore,” said Farke on achieving the goals that were set out when he first arrived – which was promotion to the Premier League and then survival.
“We can’t speak about the future before we together, as a club, have spoken about the [next] goals and how we want to achieve it, but I can give you my take on it and my feeling is I’m ambitious.
“I want to have something to play for. I’m not the right choice if it’s about maintaining the status quo. I have to be convinced of a project, I have to be convinced of the way we do it.
“So far this club wanted me to run the sport and wanted me to be there with the final decision on the final say in each and everything. Right now, we have fulfilled it.
“Perhaps they have other thoughts in the process and going forward, perhaps not. We have to speak about it, but one thing is also for sure; I will also just lead the project when I’m in charge, and I overtake the decisions like I’ve done in the recent years.”
He went on to add: “I won’t overtake a season where I’m not convinced that we’re heading in the right direction.”
Daniel Farke(Image: (Alex Pantling – The FA/The FA via Getty Images))
Farke’s messaging is timely. It was around this time last year that reports broke claiming the 49ers were thinking of replacing Farke following his Championship title success amid worries over his ability to keep Leeds in the top flight.
Having proven doubters wrong by doing so, he now has the backing of the fanbase and public opinion with 12 months left on his current contract. Farke’s comments were a clear message to the board – though he is keen not to take the limelight.
Asked directly about whether he could walk away, Farke responded: “No, I don’t speak about walking away, so I’ve also got one year of contract and it’s not about myself.
“My thought is just what is important for this club? And I would never do what I’m not convinced of. If I got the feeling we would head in the wrong direction, this is not when I’m in charge anymore.”
Clearly, there are cryptic elements of his explanations and thus the exit door cannot be firmly closed. For what it’s worth, Farke said he would not “speak about possible outcomes” in regards to his meeting with the board when quizzed.
The manager has ideas and plans for next season he will take with him into his meeting with the 49ers. These include his thoughts on transfer objectives and contracts.
Among current options it seems as though Joel Piroe will be sold this summer, having failed to start a league game since August and been the subject of heavy interest in January. Sam Byram is soon out of contract having played just seven top-flight minutes all season.
As it happens, the 32-year-old academy graduate could get more minutes by virtue of a spate of defensive injuries against Brighton, who bring former Elland Road favourite Georginio Rutter along with them on Sunday – his first visit back since leaving Leeds in 2024.
Failed loan signing Facundo Buonanotte cannot play against his parent club and he has likely played his last minutes for Leeds this season, while Karl Darlow’s future is in the balance with the goalkeeper’s contract up at the end of the season.
The team will get a rousing reception at Elland Road, with Sunday marking their first and only home game since securing survival.
Those set to leave will be given a fond farewell but extra noise might be generated for Farke during the end-of-season lap of honour given this week’s comments.
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