Daniel Farke has steadied the ship at Leeds United after a turbulent spell, but talk about his long-term future at Elland Road has not completely disappeared.
A thrilling 3–3 draw with Liverpool followed by an impressive 3–1 win over Chelsea has eased the pressure on the German, who just a week ago was facing loud calls for his dismissal. Those results pushed Leeds out of the relegation zone and into 16th place, offering a much-needed boost after a difficult run.
Yet despite the turnaround, discussion about Farke’s position continues, even as pundits like Gary Neville insist there is no justification for removing him.
Former scout Mick Brown has now offered clarity on the club’s stance, stressing that Farke was never in immediate danger. Speaking to Football Insider, Brown said the 49ers ownership group were committed to keeping Farke regardless of the Liverpool result and have remained realistic about the challenges of the campaign.
Brown also noted that Farke has strengthened his hand by adjusting his approach, making Leeds more disciplined and tactically balanced than earlier in the season.
“Daniel Farke is safe for now—there’s no surprise in that,” Brown said. “The board were always going to stand by him. These were difficult fixtures, so taking points off Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool is outstanding. But even without that, they weren’t planning to make a change.”
Brown highlighted how Farke’s recent tweaks have made Leeds more compact and organised, correcting issues that had led to disjointed displays earlier in the season.
The 49ers chose Farke as their man when they assumed control in 2023, backing him through relegation and again after the playoff final defeat. Even when some at the club suggested over the summer that Leeds needed a more experienced Premier League manager, they ultimately kept faith with Farke—particularly after his record-breaking promotion campaign in the Championship.
A poor run, Brown insisted, was never going to trigger an immediate reaction. Instead, the club intended to give the manager the opportunity to put things right.
With Leeds now looking more assured and the board’s patience seemingly paying off, attention turns to January, where the expectation is clear: the ownership must support Farke with reinforcements to help drive the team clear of danger and solidify their Premier League status.