Daniel Farke led Leeds United to the Championship title last term and they've made an impressive start to this season in the Premier League, but there's something he still isn't getting credit for
Isaac Johnson Leeds United reporter
12:06, 29 Oct 2025
Daniel Farke's print on Leeds United's discipline is clear
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Daniel Farke's print on Leeds United's discipline is clear(Image: Malcolm Bryce/Leeds United via Getty Images)
When Anton Stach signed for Leeds United, there was one phrase he’d heard of regarding the West Yorkshire outfit. ‘Dirty Leeds’.
Rival supporters often still use that phrase today, though Whites fans have always turned it into their own battle cry. Albeit, in reality, Leeds have been far from dirty on the pitch, at least when it comes to discipline.
Last season, the title winners were team ranked second-best in the Championship fair play table, with only Swansea City accruing fewer bookings (67) than United’s 70. And the Whites were one of four sides not to receive a red card throughout the whole campaign.
In the 2023/24 season, Daniel Farke’s first year in charge, Leeds received the second-lowest number of yellow cards - although they did earn two red cards. Of course, a lot of this has to do with being dominant in most second tier games.
After all, if you have the ball, then there is no need to commit as many tackles. In fact, United’s last red card was not due to game play at all, but violent conduct.
That was given to Illan Meslier for his shove of Milutin Osmajic in the face in the 2023 Boxing Day game against Preston North End - the second ‘dirtiest’ team that year and the dirtiest last season.
In fact, the only time a player has been sent off under Farke for gameplay action was when Joe Rodon was dismissed for a second booking offence, a mistimed challenge, in a goalless draw away at Hull City a few months earlier.
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Upon his return from suspension, he stayed on the bench in the first game back before regaining his starting spot. Since that point, he has not only played in every league game for Leeds, but started each one - a run that now stretches over two years.
Rodon had trodden a suspension tightrope last season after picking up four bookings in his first nine games, but he managed to make it to the 19-game cut-off point without a ban-inducing fifth. Rodon has yet to get a booking in club football this whole calendar year.
He is perhaps the primary example of Farke’s attitude towards discipline, though not the only one. Only four teams have acquired fewer yellow cards in the Premier League this season, and all while having to deal with being on the back foot more often in games.
“We are on a good path and I think this is also one of the secrets why we are in a good position,” Farke said midway through last season. Indeed, ensuring players stay on the pitch sets a team up for having the best success.
Injuries and illness will happen and cannot be prevented. Bookings and suspensions can be, and it is why you will not see Leeds players surrounding the referee or going Lucas Paqueta-style crazy after a decision. Farke won’t accept it and he ought to take more credit than is currently being offered.
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