49er to sack Daniel Farke ‘soon’ amid huge new Leeds United development
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke is entering a critical phase of his tenure, with his position at the club now under significant scrutiny. A damaging sequence of six defeats in their last seven matches has placed enormous pressure on the German coach, and the club’s owners, the 49ers, are reportedly considering alternative candidates to lead the team forward.
Saturday’s narrow 3–2 loss to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium did little to ease the tension surrounding Farke’s future. Although Leeds showed spirit and improvement in the second half, the performance has merely delayed, rather than resolved, the mounting uncertainty. Farke now faces a pivotal week, and failure to secure a positive result could prove decisive.
Leeds are preparing to host an in-form Chelsea side at Elland Road on Wednesday night—a fixture steeped in history and rivalry, but one in which the visitors are strong favourites. Should Leeds suffer another defeat on home soil, it may ultimately signal the end of Farke’s time in charge. The club are believed to have already identified Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Gary O’Neil as their preferred successor, should a change be made in the dugout.
Farke’s Position Growing Increasingly Precarious
Farke is beginning to appear like a manager fighting a losing battle. Leeds’ alarming drop in form, combined with his underwhelming previous Premier League record, has eroded patience among supporters and decision-makers alike. A growing portion of the fanbase has turned against him, convinced that the team is drifting dangerously toward relegation under his leadership.
Despite the growing unrest, former Premier League scout Mick Brown believes the Leeds players themselves have not abandoned their manager. According to Brown, the squad’s performances still show commitment and belief, even if results continue to elude them.
However, commitment alone is not enough. Leeds remain in serious danger in the relegation fight and, without a rapid turnaround in form, could see their situation worsen dramatically. Brown suggests the ownership group is under increasing pressure to act and expects a managerial change to come sooner rather than later.
“The performances aren’t those of a team who have lost fight and belief, but if you can’t see out results, you’re always going to be in trouble,” Brown told Football Insider.
“They’ve got some tough games coming up, and it doesn’t look at the moment like things are going to improve, so Leeds are in trouble.
They’re going to have to make a decision soon. Something has got to change, and unfortunately, that might have to be the manager.”
Injuries Add to Leeds’ Problems
Farke’s challenges have been compounded by key injuries throughout the squad. Leeds travelled to Manchester City without their preferred midfield partnership—Sean Longstaff continues to recover from a calf issue, while Anton Stach missed the match due to a concussion protocol. Stach is expected to return for the Chelsea game, but Longstaff’s recovery is progressing slowly, and he is unlikely to feature again before the end of the year.
The injury list grew longer during the weekend defeat when winger Daniel James suffered a hamstring problem. The Welsh international is not expected to return until January, removing another attacking option during a crucial stretch of fixtures.
As pressure intensifies from both supporters and the board, Wednesday’s showdown with Chelsea is shaping up to be one of the defining moments of Daniel Farke’s Leeds United career. Without a significant improvement in results, the club may soon decide that a new direction is necessary.