Leeds United head coach Daniel Farke has opened up on why surpassing Marcelo Bielsa is his biggest drive as he looks to keep his side in the Premier League.
Daniel Farke followed in the footsteps of his predecessor Marcelo Bielsa by guiding Leeds back to the top flight at the second time of asking.
However, Farke has had a bumpier start to life in the Premier League than the Argentinian, with Leeds now hovering above the relegation zone.
With a crucial game against Aston Villa on the horizon, Farke is looking to inspire a response from his Leeds side following a run of four defeats in five games.
Now, Farke has opened up on how the chance to succeed where Bielsa failed and establish Leeds as a regular feature in the top flight, having spent much of the last 20 years in the Championship.
Daniel Farke determined to establish Leeds United in the Premier League
Speaking in an interview with the Leeds YouTube channel, Farke admitted that surpassing Bielsa by establishing Leeds in the top flight is his “biggest drive” at the club.
Farke said: “We have the best supporters in this league, at least in my opinion, and a rocking Elland Road can be second to none and very unique. We like our fortress. It’s a joy and a pleasure to be allowed to play there.”
He continued: “[We] have a great chance also to establish this big club back in the top flight. And this is my biggest, biggest drive.
“I want to achieve something that in the last three decades, if you’re really honest, was not achieved. Marcelo came pretty close to it because he had a really good season after promotion. Sadly, it was never that the club really established itself back in the top flight for a number of years.
“This is my biggest drive and my biggest challenge. I want to do this with my staff, with my boys, with my group, with my board, with my owners, so that we become really established in the top flight again.”
How Daniel Farke compares to Marcelo Bielsa’s Premier League season after 11 games
Leeds had kept pace for much of Bielsa’s first season back in the top flight; however, Farke’s side are now beginning to fall behind the pace.
After 11 games of the current season, Leeds have 11 points, with three wins, two draws and six defeats, culminating with the loss against Nottingham Forest.
By contrast, Leeds secured 14 points from their opening 11 games under Bielsa, winning four, drawing two and losing five.
| Record After 11 Premier League games | Marcelo Bielsa – 20/21 | Daniel Farke – 25/26 |
| Won | 4 | 3 |
| Drawn | 2 | 2 |
| Lost | 5 | 6 |
| Goals For | 16 | 10 |
| Goals Against | 20 | 20 |
| Total Points | 14 | 11 |
| League Position | 14th | 16th |
But Bielsa’s side found their stride over the next five games, winning three games to end the year with a flourish, scoring five twice in that run. With the bottom three looming closer, Farke would love for his side to replicate Bielsa’s over their next five games.
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