A bullish Daniel Farke has brushed off the suggestion that Leeds United’s upcoming fixtures could define his future ahead of the Premier League fixture against Manchester City.
Daniel Farke has faced questions over his future at Elland Road after a run of five defeats in six Premier League games.
Leeds face a difficult trip to the Etihad to face Manchester City in their next game as they look to become the first newly-promoted team to beat City since Stuart Dallas inspired Leeds in 2021.
If Leeds do win in Manchester, they will have to do so without Sean Longstaff and Anton Stach, with both summer signings ruled out of the clash.
Ahead of the game, Farke has quashed suggestions that he faces a potentially career-defining run of games, as he looks to avoid an immediate return to the Championship.
Should Leeds sack Daniel Farke?
Daniel Farke addresses pressure over his future with Leeds United
Speaking in his weekly press conference ahead of the trip across the Pennines, Farke dismissed the notion that he was feeling the pressure of “outside noise” over his Elland Road future.
According to Farke, he is relishing the challenge of establishing Leeds as a permanent fixture in the top flight, and is glad the focus is on his position, not on his players.
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“I’m just focused and concentrated. I’m not focused on myself. I mentioned outside noise. I quite like that, then the outside noise is a bit more, perhaps even on the manager and not on the players or whatever.
“So, for me, I’m just fully focused on my team, how to help my team, how to back my team, how to lead my team. They also need, in this situation, a leader who will stay calm and is not thinking about himself or what it means for his own career.
Daniel Farke’s pre-Man City press conference
“I just think about this club, I just think about how we can create this, that we stay in this league and that we make sure that we establish a club really in the mid and the long term.
“And also for good, back on the top level, because we have not been able to do this in the last 25 years, and this is my only concern, and not in a reflective mode over what it could mean for my own career.”
Leeds United’s away form does not inspire confidence ahead of Manchester City clash
With the pressure building over Farke’s future, the Leeds boss will be relieved that two of his side’s next three difficult fixtures are at Elland Road.
However, he has to navigate a difficult trip to the Etihad before Chelsea come north to Leeds in the following week, and Leeds’ away record does not give the Leeds fans much cause for optimism.
Daniel Farke celebrates after Leeds United beat Everton in the Premier League
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Record Pl W D L GF GA
Leeds Away 6 1 0 5 4 15
Manchester City at Home 6 5 0 1 16 4
Leeds have lost five of their six games away from home since the start of the season, with their only win coming against Wolves. The Whites have scored just four goals on the road, conceding 15.
By contrast, City have the second-best home record in the competition, having won five and lost just once at the Etihad, which is a concern for Leeds.
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