Leeds United’s entire season has changed in the last week. Ahead of the defeat to Man City, Daniel Farke was staring the sack in the face, and the 49ers were planning to do just that.
The feeling around Elland Road was one of doom and gloom, right up until half-time against Man City. But Farke’s tactical switch and a sudden proactiveness saw Leeds almost produce a two-goal comeback.
Daniel Farke relieved after Man City, Chelsea and Liverpool results 🎂🍺☕
Coffee and cake for the Leeds gaffer!
“To be honest, I’m happy that this weekend is over and I can have some coffee and cake on the sofa. Maybe even a beer, or a pint.”
That invigorated some hope and belief, and since then, Leeds have beaten Chelsea and won a late point against Liverpool. Farke needed a result against Liverpool or Chelsea to save his job; he certainly got that.
Now, Leeds are back to a point a game, they sit in 16th place, and Farke is getting plaudits instead of fans calling for the German to be sacked. Chris Sutton has always defended the former Norwich City gaffer.
Chris Sutton thinks The 49ers were planning something “harsh”
Leeds’ return to form was discussed on BBC’s Monday Night Club after Farke’s men had returned to form and climbed out of the relegation zone into a much healthier-looking 16th. 15 points from 15 games.
Sutton has defended Farke more than once and on Monday night, he said the 49ers’ plans to sack Farke were harsh: “Speculation surrounding him – I don’t know how true it is, but he was fighting for his job.
“I thought that was deeply unfair because Leeds have been competitive. Really good at home. I’m really pleased for Daniel Farke. Things that have been leveled against him, not being proactive enough,” he said.
“I did the Man City game, he brought Dominic Calvert-Lewin on, went to a back three. They were more direct. Leeds fans are seeing a bit of fight, resilience, organisation, and a manager who has a game plan.
“To throw stats at him for how badly he did with Norwich is really unfair. The Norwich squad wasn’t good enough; they were miles off it. It would’ve been harsh to sack him. They will be competitive under Farke.”
Besides Bielsa, who is YOUR favourite Leeds manager from the last decade? 🤔
- Uwe Rosler
- Steve Evans
- Garry Monk
- Thomas Christiansen
- Paul Heckingbottom
- Marcelo Bielsa
- Jesse Marsch
- Javi Gracia
- Sam Allardyce
- Daniel Farke
How much longer does Daniel Farke have in the Leeds hotseat?
Not many expected it, but Farke certainly has until January to improve his job security. Gary Neville says that the 49ers will have cancelled their plans to sack him, even though the threat of relegation is very real.
Indeed, Opta say Leeds are still the third-most-likely team to be relegated with a percentage of 42. Leeds face Brentford on Sunday, before Palace at Elland Road and then a weakened Sunderland on the 28th.
Even if Leeds lost to Brentford on Sunday and failed to beat Palace or Sunderland, the 49ers are likely to give Farke time ahead of January to get some results. At least one win in the next three will help matters.
Ultimately, Farke has saved his job for now, but the danger of two things remains very much alive. The first, the threat of relegation, and of course, the possibility that the 49ers do execute plans to sack Farke.
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