49ers slammed at Elland Road as ‘Daniel Farke doesn’t want to commit at Leeds’
Leeds United have been criticised after giving themselves a problem with the way they have handled speculation over the future of manager Daniel Farke.
Former Cardiff and Reading Jobi McAnuff winger believes the German has been reluctant to commit to what he sees for the future of the Elland Road club than he should be given their recent success, thanks to doubts surrounding his position.
After two seasons in the Championship, Farke has now secured his side’s automatic promotion back to the Premier League for next season.
No sooner was that achieved did speculation that Leeds could sack Farke this summer emerge, after he previously endured two unsuccessful spells managing in the top-flight with Norwich City.
So far it remains to be seen if that will be the case, which is leading to criticism of the decision makers at Elland Road.
Jobi McAnuff has strong reaction to Daniel Farke situation
Leeds have already been described as “disrespectful” for not publicly commenting on those rumours about their manager.
On Monday (28 April) Leeds moved closer to the Championship title by beating Bristol City 4-0 in their final home game of the season.
Victory away at Plymouth on the final day of the season is now all but guaranteed to secure top spot in the final standings for the Whites and a 100-point campaign.
During that latest win, Leeds fans were heard making their support for Farke clear, and McAnuff believes the club’s owners ought to do the same, with the manager having limited his reaction to this success, while holding back from commenting on the speculation around himself.
| Leeds United last five games | Result |
| Middlesbrough (A) | Won 1-0 |
| Preston (H) | Won 2-1 |
| Oxford (A) | Won 1-0 |
| Stoke (H) | Won 6-0 |
| Bristol City (H) | Won 4-0 |
After being asked on Sky Sports‘ coverage of the game if the 48-year-old deserves to be backed publicly by the club’s owners the 49ers Enterprise, the pundit said (10:34pm): “Yeah, and he should have had it by now.
“Obviously the rumours have come from somewhere. I’m not saying it’s come directly from Leeds United or anywhere inside, it might be a journalist.
“But I do feel [the 49ers] got a duty to [Farke] in this period of time to come out and back him if he is to be the man to take you forward, and I have no doubt in my mind that he should be.
“He’s earned that, not just this season. You have to go back to last season Jules [Warren]. The club was a mess. Remember the start of last season?
“There was players going out the door every other day and he didn’t know who he was going to have to work with. He’s had to rebuild the squad, and he’s done that brilliantly.
“For me, sitting here today, it just doesn’t sit well with me, in this moment now. And I think you can see it with him, because he doesn’t want to commit, he doesn’t want to go hard on what he’s achieved or where the club’s gonna go, and that shouldn’t be the case because he’s done his job.”
Leeds United owners under pressure over manager decision
Football Insider Verdict
Whichever way they are going to go, it feels crucial that the 49ers make a decision over the future of Farke as soon as possible.
Right now, Leeds and their manager should both be in a position where they are putting plans and preparation firmly in place for a return to the Premier League.
Avoiding relegation will be so important to the Yorkshire outfit next season, and the sooner they can be ready for that, the better chance they have of staying up.
However, while both the club and manager do not know if he is going to be there next season, it will be difficult for them to put everything into preparing for what is to come.
With that in mind, Leeds surely need to issue clarity on whether or not Farke will still be their manager at the start of next season.
Indeed, with the sentiment that appears to be emerging, it also seems as though it will be hard for the 49ers to cut ties with their current manager in the coming months.