Leeds United face Burnley at Turf Moor today, which could be a hugely important game for both Daniel Farke and Scott Parker.
Daniel Farke remains Leeds United boss in spite of the fact the 49ers are said to have considered sacking Farke towards the end of last season. He has already achieved two wins this season, too.
Despite all the talk, the 49ers chose to keep Farke for the 2025/26 season. It’s paid off thus far, but Burnley could close the gap on Leeds and apply some pressure to Farke if they claim a victory today.
Nothing is imminent right now but the reports that the 49ers could replace Farke were strong and difficult to ignore at one stage of the summer. Could that quickly shift from a poor run?
The current view of Daniel Farke’s Leeds future
Another consideration for the Leeds hierarchy is that sacking Farke would mean a year’s salary as compensation. They will have that in mind, given the financial squeeze they felt over the summer.
Farke has since responded to the sack claims and he was also backed this summer to the tune of over £100 million. He does have plenty of credit in the bank, while the hierarchy also did not source him as many attackers as he wanted.
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Graham Smyth has commented on Farke’s future fairly recently, but other journalists have explained how they see his situation more recently. That includes Graeme Bailey.
Speaking on the Beyond The Back Four podcast, presenter Sam Homewood asked: “Right, let’s talk about Daniel Farke. Why is there less pressure on him, do you think? Is it because he’s at Leeds though the expectation is less that they survive?”
Dan Coombs responded: “For me, I don’t think Daniel Farke’s under too much pressure at Leeds at the moment. There were some slight smatterings of rumours in the summer, but he’s done a good job there.
“The Leeds fans are pretty happy with him. The issue he had in the Premier League before was that he came up with Norwich and they had absolutely no backing and there was nothing he could do. You know, he was always on to a loser with that one.
“I think Leeds have performed fairly solid. They’re not too far away from, you know, what three points away from from Sunderland? Who were getting rave reviews for their start to the season.
“So, they’ve got some winnable fixtures coming up Leeds. They’ve got Burnley and they’ve got West Ham. You know, win them and they’re in the top half of the table.
Graeme Bailey added: “I don’t agree with the bookmakers here. I think they’ve done that considering Leeds know they let themselves down in terms of strikers.
“They got [Noah] Okafor and [Dominic] Calvert-Lewin in but they wanted to do more. But I think — in terms of what they did — they’re in a decent position.
“I think there’s a couple more managers who are under more pressure and more likely to go than Daniel Farke.”
Homewood responded: “It’s tricky because you’re absolutely right but they’re on eight points which is four clear of the relegation zone. But eight points in seven games? Is that what they’re after?”
Coombs added: “They’re after not being in the bottom three, aren’t they, really? At the end of the season?
Bailey said: “Being above the bottom three on goal difference is Leeds’ aim this this season.”
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke with Pascal Struijk
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
Who Leeds United fans want as manager after Daniel Farke
The 49ers may well have a decision to make at some stage, and the Leeds squad have grown close to Farke over the last couple of years and it’s fair to say that many would be sad to see him go.
Leeds fans want Pablo Hernandez to re-join as manager one day. However, the 40-year-old is only just entering his managerial career and he needs more time to get his feet under the table and to grow as a manager.
Leeds fans also liked the idea of Nuno Espirito Santo after his dismissal at Nottingham Forest, but interesting options in the manager market are often snapped up fast. West Ham United did so instead.