All the talk since full-time on Sunday afternoon has been whether Daniel Farke will receive a phone call from Paraag Marathe, and told he is no longer the manager of Leeds United.
Since Jarred Gillett blew his whistle at the City Ground, ending a dismal afternoon which resulted in a 3-1 defeat against Nottingham Forest, fans have been calling for Farke’s head on social media and phone-ins.
It is hardly surprising and it won’t come as news to Farke. The German manager has watched his side lose four of the last five Premier League matches, while defeat to Forest was a fifth defeat in six league games.
Leeds remain in 16th position in the Premier League table, but the gap between themselves and the drop zone has reduced from four to one. Chris Sutton feels it would be the wrong decision to sack Farke.
Graham Smyth says he expects Daniel Farke to stay in Leeds job
It comes after reports before the Forest game said Farke had five games to save his Leeds job. Forest was the first, and it ended badly. The next four games are Aston Villa, Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool.
Speaking to The Square Ball, the Yorkshire Evening Post’s Graham Smyth says that from what he is getting from sources inside Leeds, is that it is unlikely that Leeds will make a change and decide to sack Farke.
Daniel Farke during Leeds' defeat to Forest.
Photo by Andrew Kearns – CameraSport via Getty Images
“No it hasn’t [an announcement] and I wouldn’t be expecting it either, to be honest. I would be very, very surprised, stunned in fact if they made a change. It’s just not the sense I’m getting, what I’m hearing.
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“It wasn’t so long ago that they were giving Daniel Farke a lot of credit for adapting his style and for a start that has still given them a point per game average. I would be stunned,” Smyth reported on TSB.
Why the 49ers are playing a risky game by keeping Daniel Farke
Leeds’ biggest and best weapon this season is the Elland Road support. Eight points from five games at Elland Road, and three from a possible 18 away from it, is proof that the Leeds fans are their best weapon.
But that weapon dissipates if fans become disgruntled and a toxic atmosphere creeps into the terraces at Elland Road. Keeping a manager in situ that fans no longer want will see that happen if losses continue.
Farke needs a win. Not only to save his job, but to keep the enthusiasm among supporters. Otherwise, Leeds will lose their best chance of survival, winning games at home. Villa at Elland Road is massive, next.