Leeds beat Bristol City 4-0 to round off their home campaign at Elland Road on Monday night and Whites fans made their feelings towards boss Daniel Farke clear
Daniel Farke received a strong reception from Leeds fans amid speculation over his future(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
Leeds United fans made their affection for Daniel Farke clear amid speculation over his future as their team produced a dominant 4-0 win over Bristol City to move top of the Championship. Leeds and Burnley go into the final match of the season level on points.
A performance that saw goals from Ao Tanaka, Wilfried Gnonto and Largie Ramazani was punctuated as the Elland Road faithful sang Farke’s name on multiple occasions. After just 30 minutes, the German coach heard his name ring round the stands and soon found an almighty cheer as he raised his fist to them in recognition.
Monday evening saw the first time the club were able to celebrate promotion to the Premier League with fans, just days after speculation over Farke’s future started having seen their return to the top-flight confirmed. The former Norwich manager still has two years remaining on his contract but there is said to have been uncertainty in the club’s hierarchy over Farke’s credentials in the nation’s top division.
Chairman Paraag Marathe was in attendance at Elland Road amid reports he will sit down with Farke to discuss his future this week. Asked about the prospect, Farke was quick not to feed into the narrative.
“Right now, it’s not about talks or whatever or thinking about the Premier League or next season,” he told Sky Sports. “Right now, it’s about celebrating this special day. It’s one of the most important days in the history of this football club.
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“I always spoke about why I signed a long term contract here. I wanted, first, to steady the ship, to rebuild the group and reunite the club because there was a big gap between the supporters and the playing squad.
“I wanted to build a new group and create values and the way we want to play and to bring the club back to the Premier League. The next step is to make this club an established Premier League side.
“If we’re really honest, this club belongs to the Premier League but in the last 22 to 23 years we’ve spent just three years there. We had one really good year after promotion under Marcelo [Bielsa] and then two years of struggling.
Daniel Farke is sprayed by Josuha Guilavogui as they celebrate promotion(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
“At the moment, we’re not allowed to label us an established Premier League side. It’s the next step but the first steps are quite important. The foundations are there and it’s about making this club an established Premier League side.”
While it appears Farke could yet remain at Elland Road, replacements have been considered according to reports. Former Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst, ex-Bayer Leverkusen, PSV and Benfica coach Roger Schmidt and Davide Ancelotti, son of Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti, are said to have been considered.
Speaking before the game, Farke conceded he was not surprised to see speculation however. “It’s not surprising because I knew exactly which club I signed for,” he said.
Daniel Farke waves to the fans against Bristol City FC(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
“I’m not sure how many managers Leeds have had in the last 20 years, but normally, it’s a good effort if you last for three months. Once you sign for this club, you know from this moment there is lots of pressure, lots of noise, lots of expectation. It’s nothing new or nothing I wouldn’t expect because this club is so emotional and so big.
“Journalists from all over the country, who are never here, have never spoken to one person within the club. Of course, they want to write about Leeds and if you want to deliver some news that is clicked, you have to bring shock news.”
Former Leeds star Stuart Dallas believes it would be harsh to part ways with Farke. “Let’s not forget, he lost three of his best players from last season too, he lost Crysencio Summerville, Archie Gray, Georginio Rutter. And to do what he has done this year, he deserves so much credit,” he told Sky Sports.
“I think it would be really harsh. I can see why fans will be having their reservations about it because of his record with Norwich when they did go up.”
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