Daniel Farke is hoping to make history as Leeds United boss this season by securing promotion to the Premier League with fans present at Elland Road for the first time.
Of course, the Whites last celebrated a top-flight return amid the Covid pandemic of 2020, when spectators were barred from matches. Farke has underlined his eagerness to allow supporters to make up for lost time. In the meantime, he’s also created his own little bit of history.
The 48-year-old has been bestowed the Championship manager of the month award for February, meaning he has now become the first United coach to win five such accolades during his tenure.
Farke previously won the award in November 2023, January 2024, February 2024 and December 2024. Farke has guided Leeds through three months of unbeaten Championship football, winning all five of his league matches last month.
Meanwhile, Daniel James has won the Championship player of the month. His three goals and four assists in the five Championship matches meant his tally for goal contributions this season rose to 18, before his assist for Junior Firpo's goal against West Bromwich Albion on March 1 made it 19.
Truth about sporting director links
Reports in Germany on Thursday claimed that United were considering former Arminia Bielefeld chief Samir Arabi as a potential new sporting director within a boardroom restructure this summer.
These suggestions have been rubbished by club sources at Elland Road, who described the speculation as ‘wild’. Arabi has not found a new club since departing Arminia Bielefeld as manager sporting director exactly two years ago.
Meanwhile, United have refrained from commenting on the reports linking CEO Angus Kinnear with a move to Everton under their new ownership at the end of the season. Farke has also refused to comment on speculation but admitted that interest in his personnel suggests that the club is doing something right.
A fab four member
United’s 1-1 draw with West Brom on Saturday stretched their unbeaten Championship run to 17 games, having not lost since November. In fact, the Whites have been defeated in the league just three times all season.
They have been one of the most in-form teams not just in the Championship but in the whole English football pyramid. As a result, they remain part of a select group that includes the current Premier League leaders.
Leeds, Liverpool, Burnley and League Two outfit Port Vale are the only four clubs not to have been beaten in league action since the start of 2025. With the Whites not facing a current top-seven club for the final 11 games of the season, they might stay a part of this select club for a little while longer.
Firpo thanks fans
Looping back to individual accolades, Firpo was voted as United’s internal player of the month by supporters. The defender has been in brilliant form of late, particularly across February.
He started the month with a hat-trick of assists in that 7-0 demolition of Cardiff City at Elland Road before tallying a throw-in assist for Manor Solomon’s deflected strike against Watford 10 days later.
He chose his power-header against Sheffield United as his favourite moment, though, having later provided the assist for Ao Tanaka’s 89th-minute nodded goal.
“The atmosphere played a really big part as well,” he added. “Winning games that late is not something that is usual, but the fans gave us that extra boost, that little bit extra in the legs during the last few minutes, which really enabled us to win the game.”
On the supporters themselves, Firpo said: "The fans have always shown their love to me. I'm really grateful and appreciative of their support for us, whether it's at home or away, they're always unbelievable. I just want to continue performing for them as I have been."