Instantly, questions will be asked of Leeds United and whether Daniel Farke can keep them in the Premier League next season after The Whites secured promotion to England’s top tier.
Leeds secured a place in the top two on Easter Monday after a 6-0 demolishing of Stoke City at Elland Road. Sheffield United had to match Leeds’ result to keep themselves in the race, but they lost 2-1.
The defeat at Turf Moor saw Chris Wilder’s side condemned to the Championship play-offs while Leeds and Burnley have been confirmed as promoted to the Premier League. Both sides sit on 94 points.
For Leeds, the focus will be on the final two games against Bristol City and Plymouth. Ethan Ampadu has made it clear, Leeds are hell-bent on not only promotion but winning the Championship title this term.
Chris Sutton says if Leeds can survive under boss Daniel Farke
Paraag Marathe has heaped praise on “relentless” Daniel Farke in his promotion statement following Easter Monday’s results. But, Farke’s record in the Premier League is a poor one, with Norwich City.
Discussing Leeds’ promotion on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Monday Night Club, Chris Sutton has doubted Leeds chances of survival in the Premier League because he doesn’t think Farke will change his style of play.
“It’s going to be really difficult. Ipswich conceded 71 goals Leicester 73, Southampton 78. That’s more than two goals every game. Nigh-on impossible to stay in the Premier League if that’s the case,” he said.
“It’s that first season, trying to get that foothold – staying in the Premier League no matter how you do it, getting over the line. It’s a level-up and that’s the issue,” Sutton continued on Leeds after promotion.
“With Leeds, the demands of Leeds, fans want to see expansive football. They really need to stiffen up at the back, but my feeling is that he [Farke] won’t change. Has he got those players? Not so sure he has.”
Daniel Farke’s Norwich record is poor, but impossible to compare
Over the course of Farke’s 49 Premier League games – lasting the entire season in 2019-20 and sacked after 11 in 2021-22 – the German gaffer won six games. He drew eight more, losing a total of 35 games.
But it is impossible to compare his time at Norwich in the Premier League with what will come at Leeds. He had little-to-no money at Carrow Road while Phil Hay thinks The 49ers and RedBull will back Leeds.
Adam Pope believes Leeds will have to spend north of £100m to stand any chance of survival, but The Whites will be capable of doing so. It is all about recruitment now, if Leeds are to survive in the top tier.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
