Daniel Farke has declared he is 'not the right choice' to remain as Leeds head coach if the club fails to match his ambition in the summer.
The 49-year-old German guided Leeds to Premier League safety with three games to spare in their first season back in the top flight having led them to promotion as second-tier champions in 2025.
Farke said Leeds had hit all the targets agreed by him and the club's owners, 49ers Enterprises, when he arrived in 2023 on a four-year contract, and that now is the time to start talks on the next 'project' at Elland Road.
'I'm ambitious and this is quite important for me going forward,' he said before Sunday's final home game of the season against Brighton.
'I love attractive football, perhaps for sides in the top half of the table, but I love to be a manager who plays for something rather than to avoid something.
'I'm not the right choice if it's about maintaining the status quo. I have to be convinced of a project and I am at my best when I buy into a project. I can be picky and choose what I am convinced of.
Daniel Farke wasted no time discussing his limitless ambition after keeping Leeds in the Premier League this term
Daniel Farke wasted no time discussing his limitless ambition after keeping Leeds in the Premier League this term
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'Leeds have had one good season in the Premier League in the last 25 years, the (first) season (back) with Marcelo (Bielsa), and we didn't build on it.
'You have to develop and you have to evolve. This is what I stand for, so it's important that we speak internally together and very trustfully together.'
Farke said there was 'no doubt in my head' that he wanted to stay on in the role as he thanked the owners, his players and the club's fans following a successful season, in which he also led them to a first FA Cup semi-final since 1987.
'There is no doubt in my head, but it's important that we don't just write the story ongoing,' he added. 'I'm full of belief and energy, but we have to speak realistically about what the goals are and what the next steps are and to have a vision.
'We had a three-year plan and we have to have similar again. If you just try to survive again then what happens is what happens last time (when Leeds were relegated in 2023).
'The boxes are ticked and you have to set yourself new goals and I know what is possible here at Leeds United and how much I believe in this club, but it is important we are all on the same page because I don't run the club. I run the squad and it is important we talk.
'Can we keep our best players, can we get new players? One thing is for sure, I will just lead a project when I am in charge and we have to speak about it like we did three years ago, very honestly, because just to survive for one more year makes no sense.'
Nuno positive amid VAR tumult
Nuno Espirito Santo has plenty of reasons to criticise VAR but the West Ham boss insists it is a problem that can be solved.
Relegation-threatened West Ham were on the wrong end of arguably the biggest VAR decision since it was introduced in the Premier League when Callum Wilson's late equaliser was disallowed against title-chasing Arsenal last weekend.
Pablo Felipe was penalised for a foul on Gunners goalkeeper David Raya, but the multitude of separate fouls occurring during the same phase of play prompted West Ham to complain to referees' body the PGMOL.
Then came the news on Friday that the Premier League's Key Match Incidents panel had confirmed the Hammers should have been awarded two penalties during the 3-0 defeat at Brentford a week earlier.
'We made a complaint,' admitted Nuno, whose side likely need to win at Newcastle on Sunday to have any realistic chance of Premier League survival.
West Ham were embroiled in VAR controversy last weekend which could have far-reaching consequences for their top-flight future
West Ham were embroiled in VAR controversy last weekend which could have far-reaching consequences for their top-flight future
'I think it was normal that we did it, to try to find some answers to some questions that creates a lot of doubts.
'What is needed, and we're going to speak about referees and VAR, is consistency. It would help the game, it would help the Premier League, it would help first and foremost the players.
'They have to realise, they have to understand that there are no doubts, no frustrations.
'The problem is that we compare similar situations with different decisions. This is where it is a frustration. That's why I insist on the term consistency, it's needed.
'I didn't have time to think about the changes that find the solutions. It's not my clear focus on that. But more than anything, I think it's up to PGMOL to solve it.
'The referees must understand the need of solving this doubt that is among us. The fans don't know, the players don't know, we don't know.
'Then during the week we have the questions, the solutions. I don't see it clearly, but I believe that the Premier League and the referees are going to solve it.'
Moyes laments legend's farewell
Everton manager David Moyes said they have offered Seamus Coleman 'every job there is' to keep him at the club but the 37-year-old wants to continue playing.
The 37-year-old will bring to an end his 17-year association with the club when his contract expires next month.
His 372 Premier League appearances is a Toffees record and he needs to add just one more to his 433 total tally to move ahead of Dixie Dean and Leon Osman into 10th on the club's all-time list.
Coleman, signed from Sligo Rovers for £60,000 in 2009, has played just 23 times in the last three seasons as he struggled with injuries but his desire to continue captaining the Republic of Ireland means he is likely to seek another club to extend his playing career.
'We've offered Seamus every job there is: from groundsman to assistant, you name it he's had every opportunity,' said Moyes, ahead of Sunday's visit of Sunderland.
Seamus Coleman is waving goodbye to Everton in a bid to extend his playing career elsewhere
Seamus Coleman is waving goodbye to Everton in a bid to extend his playing career elsewhere
'But the thing I admire about Seamus is he wants to keep playing, he wants to keep playing for his country.
'He has a couple of friendly games coming up during the summertime which he wants to keep ready for and he's in good physical condition and I admire him for it because he wants to do it.
'It would be easy for him to just to say, 'I've settled down and I'm not going to do it'.
'There will always be a desk here for him when his time comes, I have no doubt about that.'
Coleman said the extent of his Everton career was 'beyond his wildest dreams'.
'Coming over here as a 20-year-old from Sligo Rovers to a reserve team, I was just hoping to impress enough to get on the bench,' he told the club's website.
'To think I've gone on to make the most Premier League appearances for Everton and to become captain of this great football club – it was beyond my wildest dreams.
'My love for Everton is something you all know about – and I've got a huge love for Ireland as well.
'The club have been unbelievable with me. They've offered me an opportunity to stay on at the football club.
'Obviously, after such a big decision, I want to have some time over the summer to focus on what's next for me and my family.'
Gordon's last match played?
Anthony Gordon could have played his last match for Newcastle, after Eddie Howe revealed his team selection has an eye on 'the future'.
The head coach was asked specifically about his recent non-inclusion of the England winger, who has been an unused substitute in the last two matches after returning from a hip injury.
Gordon will join Bayern Munich this summer if the Bundesliga champions meet Newcastle's £75million asking price. The framework of personal terms are in place but not yet agreed.
Howe was pressed on whether doubt over Gordon's future is playing a part in him staying on the bench.
'I think when you get to this stage of the season, part of what we will be doing, we'll be looking to next year, naturally,' he said.
'Anthony's just come back from injury. I think the team has played well in his absence and (selection) with a partial view to the future, yes.'
Anthony Gordon may have played his last game for Newcastle amid speculation over his future
Anthony Gordon may have played his last game for Newcastle amid speculation over his future
Eddie Howe says he has been keeping Gordon out of the team because of eyes on the future
Eddie Howe says he has been keeping Gordon out of the team because of eyes on the future
Would Howe play Gordon if he was needed to get a result?
'If it's the right thing for the team,' he said. 'I put the team and the club above any individual, then I would play him, of course.'
Meanwhile, Joelinton is a doubt for Sunday's visit of West Ham with a thigh injury.
Another day out at Wembley for Pep
Pep Guardiola joked that the Football Association ought to name a Wembley corporate area after him ahead of a 24th trip to the national stadium as Manchester City boss.
City face Chelsea on Saturday, attempting to win a third FA Cup of Guardiola's reign.
They have reached four consecutive finals but lost the last two, against Manchester United and Crystal Palace.
Guardiola has won 16 major trophies in England and was triumphant in two Champions League finals at Wembley as a Barcelona player and manager.
'I'm so disappointed that they don't make a stand for Pep, the number of times I've been there - or at least a lounge or a box,' Guardiola joked.
Pep Guardiola joked that the Football Association ought to name a Wembley corporate area after him ahead of a 24th trip to the national stadium as Man City boss (pictured in 2023)
Pep Guardiola joked that the Football Association ought to name a Wembley corporate area after him ahead of a 24th trip to the national stadium as Man City boss (pictured in 2023)
'Maybe I need to go 24 more times. It's been a special place, with Barcelona in 1992 and after against Manchester United with Barcelona for the second time.
'Many times since I am here with semi-finals and finals. It's really good to go to Wembley again. Top.'
Meanwhile, Guardiola claimed that City will make a late call on Rodri's fitness ahead of the final.