Daniel Farke says he will only continue leading Leeds United if the club shares his desire to keep progressing beyond simple Premier League survival. Ahead of Sunday’s final home fixture of the season against Brighton, the German coach stressed that remaining in the division alone cannot be the long-term objective.
The 49-year-old guided Leeds to safety with three matches remaining during their first campaign back in the top flight. However, Farke made clear he wants the club to build toward something greater rather than settle for avoiding relegation year after year.
Farke explained that he performs best when fully committed to a clear sporting plan and admitted he would not consider himself the correct manager for a project focused only on preserving the current level. He added that he enjoys coaching teams capable of competing for meaningful goals instead of constantly fighting to stay up.
Despite those comments, Farke also stated there is no uncertainty from his side regarding his own future. According to the Leeds boss, he remains fully motivated and convinced about continuing at Elland Road, provided the club shares the same direction and vision.
Progress under Farke strengthens his position
Leeds currently sit 14th in the Premier League table, eight points above the relegation zone, while also having reached their first FA Cup semifinal since 1987 earlier this season. The campaign marked another step forward under Farke after steady improvement across each of his years at the club.
Following relegation from the Premier League, Leeds reached the Championship playoff final during Farke’s first season in charge before securing promotion as second-tier champions the following year. The manager pointed to those achievements as evidence that the club’s original targets since his appointment in 2023 had all been achieved.
Farke previously won the Championship title twice with Norwich City but endured difficult Premier League campaigns there. Reports during Leeds’ 2025 preseason suggested he could lose his position despite leading the club back to the top division, though his current standing has improved considerably after securing survival.
During his press conference, the German thanked both the club’s ownership group, 49ers Enterprises, and the players and supporters for their role in the season. He also stressed the importance of honest internal discussions about what comes next for Leeds.
Long-term planning now becomes key focus
Farke believes Leeds must avoid repeating mistakes from previous Premier League periods. He pointed to the club’s strong first campaign under Marcelo Bielsa, explaining that Leeds failed to continue building afterward and eventually suffered relegation in 2023.
According to Farke, development and evolution are essential if Leeds want to establish themselves at a higher level. He said the club now needs another structured long-term strategy similar to the original three-year plan created when he arrived.
The manager emphasised that discussions must include whether Leeds can retain their best players and strengthen the squad with new arrivals during the summer. While he controls football matters on the pitch, Farke acknowledged broader decisions ultimately belong to the club hierarchy.
For Farke, simply surviving for another single season without a bigger purpose would not be enough. He insisted he still believes strongly in Leeds United and in what can be achieved there, but only if everyone at the club is aligned behind a shared ambition for the future.