Rio Ferdinand, Daniel Farke
(Credit: Rio Ferdinand Present on YouTube, Imago)
Niall Togher
Thu 14 August 2025 8:23, UK
Leeds United are set to face an uphill battle if they want to avoid relegation from the Premier League next season.
Leeds have concluded their pre-season preparations under Daniel Farke, where they looked solid in a new 4-3-3 formation, but seemed to lack that real threat in the final third as they faced tougher opposition.
Most of the 49ers‘ singings during their tenure in charge have been shrewd acquisitions, but bringing in Dominic Calvert-Lewin to bolster United’s options up top is a bizarre move to say the least.
Now, former Leeds player Rio Ferdinand has made a claim that will rile up some sections of the Elland Road faithful.
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke waving at fans
Farke has overseen some positive results in pre-season (Credit: Imago)
Ferdinand suggests Farke could be first manager sacked this season
There is certainly no love lost between Leeds and Ferdinand, with the defender being a disliked figure to say the least in West Yorkshire after the defender made the switch to bitter rivals Manchester United, as well as many other reasons.
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Whilst it is no secret that Leeds will likely struggle in the Premier League next season, Ferdinand’s new claim will only twist the knife in even further.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Rio Ferdinand Presents on 12 August, the former England international reluctantly said Farke could potentially be the first manager to get the boot based on past media reports.
“You know, the Leeds manager last year, when they got promoted, there were rumours that he was getting the sack, so he could be the first,” he said.
Ferdinand is not the only one to predict Farke’s downfall next season, with the German being tipped by some to be out of a job by Christmas.
Reservations over Farke are correct for next season
Although Leeds fans may not like hearing this from Ferdinand, and understandably so, people are justified in having reservations about the German manager next season.
Farke struggled with Norwich on two separate occasions in the Premier League
He was relegated initially with the Canaries back in 2020
Farke then secured immediate promotion back to the top flight but was sacked midway through the 2021/22 campaign as Norwich were ultimately relegated again
It’s no secret that Farke has to adapt and change to give Leeds the best chance of avoiding the drop, but even that may not be enough to keep United up.
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