Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has just experienced two frustrating defeats in the league. However, his side are still expected to survive in the Premier League.
The Whites have several reasons to complain that they had no business losing to Sunderland at Elland Road on Tuesday, as refereeing decisions marred the occasion.
Leeds were denied a clear penalty in the first half, and a Sunderland player should have been sent off in the second half in a game where the away side did everything to ensure they played as little football as possible.
However, Farke’s side are still getting backed to survive. But it seems Leeds are still not ready to completely commit to Farke before the end of the season.
Leeds United issue fresh contract update on Daniel Farke
Farke will enter the final 12 months of his current deal in the summer, and given his success, one would have expected Leeds to start talks over a new contract.
However, Leeds director Peter Lowy pointed out that the club are yet to secure survival, and he is not a fan of discussions around new contracts at this stage of the season.
He insisted that there is nothing on the table when it comes to offering a new deal to Farke and the focus is on ensuring Leeds survive in the Premier League.
“We have not yet stayed in the Premier League”, Lowy told the BBC.
“We are not yet secured, and so we’re not talking about it. It’s like the same thing that last year really bugged me.
“We were on a run-in to win the league or to win the Championship, and everyone’s talking about [whether Daniel should be the manager next year or not.
“To talk about Daniel’s contract now is just not on the table. Not for him and not for us. We have one goal.”
49ers could face fan backlash
There were moments earlier this season when sections of the Leeds fanbase had grown frustrated with Daniel Farke, and a decision to part ways with him might even have been welcomed by many at the time.
But the mood around Elland Road has shifted dramatically since then. Farke’s standing among supporters is now arguably stronger than it has ever been, with the German gradually winning over the fanbase. The bond between the team and the crowd has helped turn Elland Road back into a difficult place for visiting sides this season.
Daniel Farke – Leeds United Managerial Record| Season | Competition | Matches | Wins | Draws | Losses | Points | PPM | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025/26 | Premier League | 29 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 31 | 1.07 | 15th |
| 2024/25 | Championship | 46 | 29 | 13 | 4 | 100 | 2.17 | 1st |
| 2023/24 | Championship Play-Offs | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1.33 | — |
| 2023/24 | Championship | 46 | 27 | 9 | 10 | 90 | 1.96 | 3rd |
If Leeds manage to secure survival only for Farke to be dismissed afterwards, it would not take long for the frustration of supporters to be directed at the 49ers ownership group, whatever justification they might offer for the decision.
Anyone brought in to replace the German could find it extremely difficult to win over the fans, and the atmosphere around the club could quickly turn toxic. After a period of much-needed stability under Farke, moving on from him in the coming months would risk unsettling Leeds all over again.
