Daniel Farke will be disappointed not to have gotten a result when Leeds United faced Manchester City this weekend. Unlike recent games, this time the team showed spirit and almost mounted an incredible comeback.
The away fans were stunned when Phil Foden gave City the lead in the first five minutes of the game. Leeds were dominated after that, and Pep Guardiola’s side doubled their lead with Josko Gvardiol having the last touch of the ball following a corner. Going into half-time two goals down, every Leeds fan expected the worst in the second period.
But Farke sprung a surprise on the opposition, making two key changes and a tactical shift to try and get his side back in the game. He brought on Jaka Bijol for more security at the back, and threw in Dominic Calvert-Lewin up top alongside Lukas Nmecha.
The changes worked to perfection as the Whites pulled one back just four minutes into the second half; Calvert-Lewin pounced on a defensive error to score his second goal of the season. The striker won a penalty late in the game which Nmecha dispatched to level the scores. But City scored the winner just a minute into added time to take the win.
Gary O’Neil emerges as favourite for Leeds United job
The result this weekend means that Leeds have lost six of their last seven games. It was reported last month that Farke had this run of games to turn the season around and save his future. But after back-to-back defeats, things are looking grim at Elland Road.
| Games | Wins | Losses | Draws | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | 3 | 8 | 2 | 11 |
Football Insider have now reported that former Wolves boss Gary O’Neil is the favourite for the job if Farke is sacked. The 42-year old has been close to a return to management, having been linked with a return to Wolves and the job at Southampton in the last month.
Former Wolves boss has credentials for the job
Gary O’Neil could be perfect for the Leeds United job; with the club in the relegation zone, they need a way out as quick as possible. The former Wolves coach guided Bournemouth to safety as caretaker coach back in 2022. So he has experience with these types of situations.
| Club | Games | Points |
|---|---|---|
| AFC Bournemouth | 34 | 36 |
| Wolverhampton Wanderers | 54 | 55 |
His time at Wolves was mixed, but he has a knack for making underdog teams into serious performers. All this will depend on if the 49ers are ready to pull the plug on Farke. The fixtures between now and January could decide the fate of the German at Elland Road.
