The 49ers are in a difficult position. Large sections of the Leeds United fanbase will still likely want Daniel Farke sacked, but they can hardly do it after such a spirited performance against Man City.
Goals from Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha cancelled out efforts from Phil Foden and Josko Gvardiol. It looked as if Leeds were going to save themselves a point until Foden scored a late winner.
The pressure is mounting on Daniel Farke… should Leeds United sack him?⌛
But an excellent display. One that showed grit, bravery, an in-this-together attitude. It also told us two things about Farke. One, he has the tactical nous to outdo arguably the best manager in world football.
The other, the Leeds players, are fighting for Farke. Graham Smyth said Farke hadn’t lost the dressing room after the loss to Villa, and that seems to have remained the case even despite losing to Man City.
Chris Sutton says what he’d do with Daniel Farke if in charge
Chris Sutton has been an avid defender of Daniel Farke. Having a close affiliation with Norwich City, Sutton has followed Farke’s career closely and was delighted for the Leeds boss after beating West Ham.
Sutton has urged Leeds to stick with Farke up until this point and he was asked again about the Leeds boss after the defeat to Man City on BBC Radio’s 606. Sutton said he’d keep him, if he was the 49ers.
“My take is, at Norwich, the squad was never strong enough for the Premier League and I think that has been held against Daniel Farke,” Sutton said, when asked for his take on rumours surrounding Farke.
“They’ve been competitive, the second-half performance told you everything you need to know about Leeds. They’re going to give it a good crack. They need to stick with Daniel Farke, that’s what I think.
Daniel Farke hits back after outside noise at Leeds United
“I’m not focused on myself. I mentioned outside noise. I quite like that, then the outside noise is a bit more on the manager and not on the players.
“So for me, I’m just fully focused on my team, how to help my team, how to back my team, how to lead my team.
“They need a leader who will stay calm and is not thinking about himself or what it means for his own career.”
Daniel Farke – speaking prior to Man City v Leeds
Who are the candidates to take over from Daniel Farke right now?
Unlike after the defeats to Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest, the feeling is that Farke will remain in the job when Leeds host Chelsea. Another mouthwatering clash that will have fans on the edge of their seats.
But the fact remains. A couple of losses against Chelsea and Liverpool will mean six defeats in a row, and a total of eight losses in nine Premier League games. That is not just relegation form, that’s sacking form.
Brendan Rodgers is primed, Ange Postecoglou is admired. Bo Svensson is not that fussed as he remains on the payroll at Union Berlin. Plenty of others have been linked, but at the moment, all focus is on Farke.
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