Sport
Confirmation of Leeds United’s Premier League survival is vindication for Daniel Farke
Whatever happened in the away dressing at the Etihad Stadium on 29th November 2025 went a long way to keeping Leeds United in the Premier League. Trailing 2-0 to Manchester City at half time and slumped in the relegation zone, Daniel Farke made a tactical change that completely changed the team’s 2025/26 campaign.
The bounce from changing to a 3-4-2-1 formation was immediate as Leeds fought back from 2-0 down to level the match against City. Pep Guardiola’s side ended up winning 3-2, but this was a catalyst for Leeds to embark on a run that saw them lose just one of their next 10 league fixtures.
Through this process Leeds confirmed their place in the Premier League for next season over the weekend. Farke’s side didn’t play until Monday night when they took on Tottenham Hotspur, but their form in the second half of the season was enough to keep them in the English top division.
Leeds’ survival is vindication for Farke who had to fight for his job before the season had even started. Reports at the time claimed the Elland Road club was considering making a change in the dugout with Farke’s underwhelming record as a Premier League manager at the forefront of their mind.
Farke was a target for criticism over the course of the first half of the season. At half time of the aforementioned away game against Manchester City, the German looked to be on his way out of Leeds. Reports before the game made clear Farke needed something to prove he was still the right man for the job.
The connection between Farke and his players became apparent over the full season, though. The tactical shift helped to get more out of some of Leeds’ best players including Dominic Calvert-Lewin who grew into the attacking focal point Farke needed to string together consistent results.
Brenden Aaronson and Noah Okafor settled into positions that suited them behind the central striker with both players reaching a level that had previously evaded them as Leeds players. In central midfield, Anton Stach flourished as the creative passer who knitted everything together with Ethan Ampadu a strong presence at the base of the central unit.
From back to front, Farke moulded a team in his own image with statement wins over Chelsea and Manchester United proof of a side on an upward trajectory. Another manager might not have been able to draw as much out of a squad that is still one of the weakest in the Premier League.
After avoiding an immediate return to the Championship, the challenge for Farke will be to push Leeds even higher up the Premier League table next season. A precedent has been set by the likes of Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Brentford and Brighton who have all gone up and become model clubs in the top division. Leeds should be aiming to follow in their footsteps.
Further investment will be required for Leeds to climb the Premier League ladder. Over €100m was spent on new signings last summer and a similar amount, if not more, will be needed for the Elland Road outfit to stand any realistic chance of emulating some of the aforementioned over-achievers.
In Farke, though, Leeds have a manager to guide them forward. Someone they can trust to get the best out of their squad and take the supporters along for the ride. This season has showcased Farke’s ability at the top level of the English game and demonstrated his suitability for the job at Elland Road. He has made his point, possibly even to his own employers.
