Daniel Farke has now been Leeds United manager for almost two and a half years, but even he is aware that his stint in the Elland Road dugout won’t last forever.
The German gaffer was brought to Elland Road to get Leeds back into the Premier League and at the second time of asking, he did it. Now, he has eight points from eight games in the Premier League.
Ipswich, Southampton, and Leicester’s struggles in the Championship make Farke’s achievement all the more impressive last season. A point-a-game is required to keep Leeds up, and so far, he’s achieving it.
But every manager has a shelf life, and Farke is no different. The German will enter the final 18 months of his initial four-year deal in January, and Farke has been speaking about his eventual Leeds departure.
Daniel Farke celebrates with the Championship trophy.
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Daniel Farke hopes he leaves Leeds in better shape than 2023
When Farke joined Leeds, the club was a mess. A takeover was being sorted, players were leaving without the club being able to do anything about it because of Victor Orta’s loan clauses, and money was lacking.
Yet, Farke got to the play-off final, and then the Championship title with the club’s biggest-ever points total. He told Sky Germany that he hopes to leave Leeds in better shape than it was when he joined.
The host asked Farke: “You rode out of a stadium on a horse for your farewell [at SV Lippstadt]. If someday you win the Premier League and leave Leeds, how could you possibly top that?”
Daniel Farke during Leeds United v Newcastle United.
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Farke responded: “Back then at SV Lippstadt, it was thanks to my old president, because he knew I had respect for horses. So he thought of it as a sort of ‘Lap of Honor’ and decided I had to ride a horse.
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“Yes, back then, my hair was a bit longer, and there was a bit of a resemblance. How I would leave this stadium here, I have no idea. Hopefully, in a positive way,” Farke continued, on Sky Germany’s podcast.
“My aim is always to leave the club better than I found it. Of course, I would be happy if it’s in a positive way. But in this business, you never know. So I hope it’s a good farewell,” the Leeds manager summarised.
Daniel Farke holds his hands up to Leeds United fans.
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What Daniel Farke needs to do to leave Leeds as he’d like
The pressure is on Farke right now. Two successive losses to Tottenham and then Burnley, Leeds host struggling West Ham on Friday night, and it immediately feels like a must-win game for Farke’s tenure.
Lose, and Leeds then go to Burnley and Sean Dyche’s Forest for two incredibly tough away games. Farke needs his side to beat West Ham on Friday and long term, establish themselves in the Premier League.
Do that, and he will get his wish. Lose the next three games and Farke may find himself out of a job during the November break. It is all about results at this stage, and Farke needs them to leave positively.