Leeds United have done it. Booking their place in the Premier League. Daniel Farke guided the Yorkshire club to automatic promotion and secured the Championship title on the final day, delivering the very outcome the club’s owners craved after heartbreak in last year’s play-off final.
Avoiding the play-offs, where the Blades are the favourites this year in the Sheffield United vs Sunderland odds, and winning the title should be the kind of achievement that cements a manager’s position. And yet, the future of Farke at Elland Road is far from guaranteed.
It should be the kind of achievement that cements a manager’s position. And yet, the future of Farke at Elland Road is far from guaranteed.
Despite leading Leeds to the top of the table after a brief spring wobble, reports suggest that 49ers Enterprises—who took full control of the club in July 2023—are considering making a managerial change before Farke even has the chance to parade the trophy around the city.
On the surface, it feels counterintuitive. Farke has now won the Championship three times, proving his credentials at that level. He navigated the pressure of a demanding fanbase, turned around a dip in form, and ultimately delivered silverware.
So, why the doubt? The short answer: his previous Premier League record.
Farke’s two stints in the top flight with Norwich City both ended in relegation. In 2019/20, the Canaries finished bottom, collecting just 21 points. His other campaign started so disastrously—15 straight defeats—that even a win couldn’t save him, and he was sacked on the same day Norwich claimed their first three points.
The numbers are brutal, and the 49ers clearly fear history repeating itself. But is that a fair assessment?
Farke’s Norwich sides were underfunded, relatively inexperienced, and played with a philosophy that often left them exposed at the highest level. Leeds, by contrast, have a deeper squad, a larger budget, and—thanks to their new ownership—ambitious plans both on and off the pitch.
With players like Joel Piroe, Wilfried Gnonto and Brenden Aaronson in their ranks, and reinforcements on the way, there is a strong foundation to build from. Dismissing Farke before he’s had the chance to manage this Leeds side in the Premier League might be premature.
That said, the 49ers are aiming high. They aren’t just here to survive—they want to thrive. Their interest in acquiring Rangers and expanding Elland Road speaks to a long-term vision, and they may view this summer as a rare chance to bring in a bigger name to accelerate progress.
Reports linking them with José Mourinho and even Ange Postecoglou—should he leave Tottenham Hotspur after the Europa League final—underscore the ambition.
But high-profile hires come with risk. Mourinho may bring pedigree, but also baggage. Postecoglou, for all his attacking flair, hasn’t convinced everyone at Spurs. In either case, a managerial change could disrupt squad harmony, especially when Farke has the trust of his players and the backing of the fanbase.
Then there’s the financial side. Farke still has two years left on his contract, and a dismissal would require a hefty payout—money that could otherwise be used to strengthen the squad under Financial Fair Play constraints.
Ultimately, whether sacking Farke is justifiable depends on your point of view. If the goal is stability, cohesion, and building on a proven formula, keeping him makes sense. If the 49ers believe survival alone isn’t enough, and that a more proven top-flight manager is needed to make a statement, then they may feel now is the time to act.
Either way, it’s a bold decision—one that could shape not only Leeds’ return to the Premier League, but the trajectory of the club for years to come. After all, the last thing they want to see is the club featuring in the Championship betting odds again in 12 months.
