In May, Daniel Farke cast doubt on his own future at Leeds United with comments he made at a press conference. His boss, Paraag Marathe, has now made it clear that he would like to extend the German coach’s contract, which expires in 2027.
Leeds United has had a strong season. As a newly promoted team, the squad coached by Daniel Farke secured its place in the league after just the 36th matchday and ultimately finished in a respectable 14th place. One might therefore assume that everyone in Leeds is satisfied. However, after successfully avoiding relegation, Farke hinted that his future with the Peacocks is by no means certain: “When I signed the contract three years ago, we talked about the goals. And the mission is now accomplished. There is nothing more to add.”
Farke describes the period as over
Originally, the plan was for four years, which is why Farke’s contract runs until June 2027, but “after three years, all the boxes have been checked.” Now, he says, they need to sit down again and discuss new goals, “because this period is over.” That doesn’t sound like a declaration of loyalty.
Due to the successful work of Farke, who took over the club in 2023, failed to reach the Premier League in the playoffs in his first year, then secured promotion, and ultimately kept Leeds in the Premier League, club boss Paraag Marathe is keen to continue the partnership: “My hope and expectation is that he will be with us for a while longer,” Marathe said on Thursday. ” He still has twelve months left on his contract, but we both have an interest in continuing our partnership. We will have those discussions at the right time and in the right way. He is a big part of our future.”
Leeds boss hopes for long-term partnership
Marathe believes Farke was driven to make those comments by the pressure of the protracted relegation battle: “It was probably a moment to catch his breath. He could finally relax and didn’t have to constantly answer questions about avoiding relegation.” Nevertheless, they are “on the same page.” Leeds is moving in the right direction at the right pace. “I’m on board, and Daniel is on board. I’m glad he’s coaching the team, and I hope he’ll continue to do so for a long time to come.”
For Farke, Leeds is already his second stop on the island. He previously managed Norwich City from 2017 to 2021. He also secured promotion to the Premier League twice with the Canaries, though he never managed to keep them up at the time. Norwich finished 20th in the Premier League both times. In between, Farke also spent a year as coach of Borussia Mönchengladbach, but left the Bundesliga club after a moderately successful season.
Return to Germany is unlikely
If the 49-year-old does not continue at Leeds, a return to Germany is rather unlikely. He has made it clear that England is his preferred place to work: “With all due respect to the Bundesliga: Once you’ve worked as a coach in the Premier League, you want to continue competing at this absolute highest level with the best players and coaches.”
