Farke Faces Critical Tests as Leeds United Struggles

omidbasir- Senior officials at Leeds United are reportedly preparing to part ways with head coach Daniel Farke if he fails to motivate his team to turn their fortunes around during the upcoming matches against Chelsea and Liverpool at Elland Road. These crucial fixtures, scheduled for Wednesday and Saturday respectively, could significantly impact Farke’s future with the club.

While there is some sympathy for him, fueled by the belief that recent results do not fully reflect the positive performances on the pitch, the pressure is mounting. Leeds has garnered only eight points from their first six league games and has since endured a challenging spell, losing six of their last seven matches, including four in a row.

Despite a substantial summer investment of £100 million (€114 million/$132 million), Leeds finds itself fighting against relegation after a successful 100-point Championship campaign last season. Following a narrow 3-2 defeat to Manchester City, the team now sits in 18th place in the Premier League standings. The upcoming matches against Chelsea and Liverpool present a significant challenge, and without positive results, Farke’s position could be severely compromised.

In November, following their descent into the relegation zone for the first time this season, Leeds faced Aston Villa. The match began positively with Lukas Nmecha scoring early, but a remarkable second-half performance from Morgan Rogers turned the tide, leading to a disappointing defeat for the home side.

The match was marred by an incident involving an irate 61-year-old Leeds fan who stormed the pitch in a bid to confront Farke. Although he was quickly escorted off by stewards, the incident underscored the growing frustration among supporters.

“Everyone is disappointed,” Farke remarked after the match. “I don’t want our supporters to change one per cent. They should be angry and disappointed. I feel the same way, and we expect this reaction.”

Prior to the season’s start, Farke pledged to restore the club to its rightful place among the elite of the Premier League. “I want to leave this club in a better place than when I arrived. It belongs in the Premier League, and the fanbase is second to none,” he stated. However, the reality has diverged sharply from those aspirations, with the team now flirting with relegation and Farke’s job at risk.

Despite the mounting speculation regarding his future, Farke remains steadfast in his commitment to the club. When questioned about his job security, he stated, “This is not a topic I think about, really not. If you can’t handle the heat, don’t become a manager of Leeds United.”

Amidst the uncertainty, Leeds has reportedly begun to explore potential successors, with Brendan Rodgers and Ange Postecoglou emerging as prime candidates. Rodgers recently stepped down from his position at Celtic and is keen on returning to the Premier League. Conversely, Postecoglou has faced a tumultuous few months after his dismissal from Spurs, and although he is currently not seeking immediate managerial duties, the Leeds position could pique his interest.