Daniel Farke is under some pressure at Leeds United despite not making the worst of starts to life in the Premier League. It’s his team’s performances and the question marks over his previous record in the Premier League that give rise to question marks over his future at Elland Road.
Leeds have four points from their opening four games, and the underlying metrics suggest that they could do just enough to survive in the Premier League this season. However, Farke is facing questions around his future at Elland Road.
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Nottingham Forest’s sacking of Nuno Espirito Santo has not helped the Leeds manager. The 49ers now have a proven replacement in the market if they end up deciding to sack Farke in the coming months.
However, the Leeds manager can breathe a sigh of relief as one of the big names who was being linked with a move to Leeds is set to agree to take up a big job in European football soon.
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Daniel Farke seems safe at Leeds, with Jose Mourinho now set to take over at Benfica
Jose Mourinho was linked with a move to Leeds after he was sacked by Fenerbahce this month. The Portuguese previously indicated that he would be interested in a return to the Premier League.
However, it seems the two-time Premier League-winning manager is not going to be seen in the Leeds dugout or at another Premier League club.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Mourinho is in advanced talks to become the next Benfica head coach.
🚨💣 BREAKING: Benfica are in advanced talks with José Mourinho after Bruno Lage got sacked overnight! ❤️🤍
Understand Mourinho has opened doors to Benfica move as he wants to return to coaching immediately.
The agreement could be sealed soon. 🦅 pic.twitter.com/RL8eZmn5BY
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 17, 2025
The Portuguese giants sacked Bruno Lage last night after a home defeat against Qarabag in the Champions League, and are now looking for a new manager.
The former Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester United boss wants to return to football management as soon as possible, and is now in talks with Benfica.
An agreement is on the cards, and Benfica are now expected to finalise the arrival of a coach who resigned from the club after just three months in charge in 2000.
Mourinho is now set to return to the club after 25 years, where he won some of the biggest trophies in European football.
What does this mean for Farke?
The 49ers are yet to show an inclination to change managers, and Farke still retains support inside the boardroom and the dressing room at this stage of the season.
However, the German coach is claimed to be on a ‘shorter leash’ in the Premier League compared to what he experienced in the Championship.
Farke’s record at Norwich City is a huge reason for concern, and there is still scepticism around his ability to manage in the Premier League.
The 49ers have huge plans to build Leeds into a £1bn club, and they cannot risk getting relegated back to the Championship at the end of the season.
If results do not improve, Farke’s position will come under the scanner, and the 49ers may not care that the German didn’t get the players he wanted in the summer.
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