Leeds told to back Daniel Farke to the hilt this summer amid ‘huge’ claim
Leeds United look set to stick with Daniel Farke next season after taking a “huge” step towards automatic promotion, sources have told Football Insider.
Farke’s side returned to the top of the Championship table with a 1-0 win at Middlesbrough on Tuesday; their first victory in seven games after three draws in a row to re-overtake Burnley and Sheffield United.
Leeds’ slender win should have been much more comfortable after they saw two goals incorrectly disallowed for offside, but the three points take them back to the summit with just five games to play.
With an easier run-in than their two promotion rivals – with matches against Preston, Oxford, Stoke, Bristol City and Plymouth – Leeds will be confident they can win all five and seal a spot in the top two.
Former Man United and Blackburn scout Mick Brown told Football Insider on 24 March that Farke’s time will be up at Leeds if they fail to win promotion again, but the mood is now much different at Elland Road.
Daniel Farke the ‘serial winner’ Leeds need next season
Farke has come under heavy fire for Leeds’ fall-off in form in recent weeks, but having steered the ship through choppy waters to put United back in the driving seat, he’s back on course for a third promotion.
The German’s status as a “serial winner” in the Championship hasn’t held up in either of his two Premier League spells with Norwich City, underlining the sheer gulf in class between the two divisions.
However, given their “huge following” and status as a sleeping giant, a strong summer transfer window – if promoted – gives Farke and Leeds every chance of making Elland Road a fortress and staying up.
Sources have told Football Insider that Leeds should and will stick with Farke to give him the opportunity in the Premier League, with heavy backing expected in the window to avoid going straight back down.
Leeds in need of rutheless transfer strategy this summer
Much criticism swung Farke’s way this season has been due to his loyalty to certain players, with the likes of Brenden Aaronson and Manor Solomon being constants in Leeds’ side despite inconsistent form.
Such loyalty cannot be shown going forwards with promoted sides facing an increasingly difficult battle to stay up, and new arrivals could be needed in the double figures for Leeds to have a fighting chance.
Former Whites goalkeeper Paul Robinson urged Leeds to make a statement transfer by signing Roma’s Tammy Abraham, telling Football Insider that he’s a far better option than the likes of Cameron Archer.
Football Insider revealed on 17 March that Kalvin Phillips is desperate to make a move back to Elland Road this summer, but there’ll be no room for sentimentality as Leeds attack the top end of the market.
The likes of Aaron Ramsdale has also been linked with Leeds after Southampton’s relegation, but signing players from poor sides won’t do much for the optimism of those doubting Farke’s long-term prospects.