‘I’d be absolutely gobsmacked’: TalkSPORT pundit makes bold Daniel Farke prediction at Leeds
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has endured what many are calling the toughest week of his tenure at Elland Road as he attempts to steady the ship ahead of a crucial Premier League clash against Newcastle United.
What began with optimism after Leeds’ opening-day victory over Everton has quickly soured. A heavy 5-0 defeat at Arsenal was followed by a shock Carabao Cup exit at the hands of a youthful Sheffield Wednesday side. To compound matters, the club’s move to secure Brighton’s highly rated midfielder Facundo Buonanotte collapsed at the last minute, leaving the squad short of creativity and piling more pressure on Farke’s shoulders.
The situation is made even more complicated by injuries to two of Leeds’ most reliable midfielders, Ethan Ampadu and Ao Tanaka. Both players are now sidelined for the foreseeable future, leaving Farke with a serious selection headache just as his team prepares to face a Newcastle side known for their intensity and physicality.
Farke’s Future Under the Microscope
Farke’s position has not always been secure. During the summer, rumours circulated that Leeds’ hierarchy had considered replacing him, even after guiding the club back to the Premier League at the first time of asking. While he ultimately stayed on, the current run of results has reignited speculation over whether he has the full backing of the board.
Speaking on the Premier League All Access podcast, TalkSPORT presenter Sam Matterface suggested that Farke could quickly come under scrutiny if Leeds fail to turn things around. In his view, Leeds might not hesitate to act if they sense the season slipping away.
“I’ll be honest with you,” Matterface said. “I think Leeds supporters reacted strongly to that result against Sheffield Wednesday, and I don’t think Daniel Farke is standing on the firmest ground. I’m not saying he’ll be the very next manager sacked, because there’s a bit of a queue at the moment—Nuno Espirito Santo’s had issues at Forest, Graham Potter’s struggling to find the right fit, and Ruben Amorim doesn’t even seem sure about what he wants to do himself. But when it comes to Farke, I think at the first sign of real trouble, Leeds might make a change.”
Matterface went on to say that he would be “gobsmacked” if all four of those managers were still in their posts by Christmas, underlining the fragile nature of managerial job security in today’s Premier League.
A Record That Deserves Respect
Despite the recent negativity, it’s important to place Farke’s contribution into perspective. According to LUFCData, Farke currently holds the best win percentage of any Leeds manager who has overseen at least 20 games in charge. Since taking over, he has managed Leeds 107 times, winning 62 matches, drawing 26, and losing 19—an impressive win rate of 57.9%.
That figure puts him above some of the club’s most iconic figures, including the legendary Don Revie, who achieved a 53.3% win rate, and Gary McAllister, who registered 50%. While Farke cannot yet be mentioned in the same breath as Revie when it comes to legacy, his numbers suggest he has already had a tangible impact at Elland Road.
Should Leeds Stick or Twist?
The question now facing Leeds’ hierarchy is whether to back Farke through this turbulent spell or consider a change before the season begins to unravel. Sacking a manager just weeks into a campaign would be a drastic move, particularly one with Farke’s track record of stabilising clubs and achieving promotion in the past.
Yes, this week has been damaging, both on and off the pitch, but judging Farke solely on a bad run of form could be short-sighted. Leeds are still adapting to life back in the Premier League, and injuries to key players have left the squad exposed. With the right backing in the transfer market and patience from the supporters, Farke could yet steer the Whites to safety and establish them as a competitive force once again.
For now, the clash with Newcastle looms as a defining moment. A positive result could relieve some of the mounting tension, but another setback would only intensify the scrutiny. Leeds United find themselves at a crossroads—and Daniel Farke is at the heart of the decision that could shape their entire season.