Leeds United are back in the Premier League but the hard work has only just begun.
Leeds United are still basking in the glow of a glorious Easter Monday in which they finally secured promotion to the Premier League.
Less than a year on from their collapse and Play-off final heartbreak, Daniel Farke’s side sealed a spot in the top flight in style by smashing six goals past Stoke City, with Joel Piroe claiming four for himself.
The city’s attention turned to Turf Moor and watched with bated breath as Burnley defeated Sheffield United to settle the two automatic places.
Leeds and Burnley are still in the race for the Championship title but it’s difficult not to start thinking about what next season will hold.
As Leicester City, Southampton and Ipswich Town have shown, it will be tough for Leeds to survive and that’s why the club has to get all the big decisions right this summer. Here are just five.
Back or sack Daniel Farke
Leeds might have only been promoted less than 48 hours ago but murmurings from certain corners have already begun around Farke’s future.
Michael Brown and Gabby Agbonlahor have suggested Leeds may have to consider sacking Farke, a notion that Simon Grayson has labelled ridiculous.
It would be extremely harsh to get rid just as he’s achieved his goal with a ridiculous points tally, but there is a cruel, cold logic to it.
Farke has won just six Premier League matches in his career and was relegated in his one full season. He does not have a good pedigree at the highest level and maybe someone who does could be recruited.
Yet, he has more than earned a chance to prove he can manage in the top flight and sacking him before that would certainly damage morale at Elland Road. The club will need to decide their stance as soon as possible.
Big investment needed
Once they’ve chosen who will manage them in the Premier League, the 49ers must then invest heavily if Leeds are to stand a chance of bucking the trend set by last year’s promoted sides.
Farke has already admitted he wanted to sign players in January but the club was unable to back him and has made it clear it will take ‘ambition’ for Leeds to survive.
Thankfully, promotion brings with it a massive increase in revenue so Leeds should have funds to strengthen the squad considerably in the summer. Then it’s all about signing the right players.
The goalkeeper situation
Leeds will need to enhance multiple positions, including up front, attacking midfield and central midfield but no signing will be as important as a new goalkeeper.
Illan Meslier lost his place after too many costly errors nearly saw promotion slip through Leeds’ fingers. They can’t go into another campaign with him as No.1 and he is being linked with a move away.
Karl Darlow has shown himself to be a safe pair of hands in the Championship but it’s unlikely he will be good enough in the Premier League.
A real quality goalkeeper who is capable of solid saves while still confident in possession is needed and it’s unlikely to come cheap. James Trafford has been touted but Burnley’s own promotion surely rules that name out.
Bring Manor Solomon back?
It took him a while to get going, but once Manor Solomon found his stride, he has torn the Championship to shreds.
No other player has stepped up to the plate in this promotion-clinching run of results like Solomon, who has scored or assisted in the last four victories.
Of course, he is only on loan from Tottenham, who have paid a significant chunk of his salary. His contract at Spurs still has three years to run but, hopefully, they won’t demand an excessive fee since they managed to sign him on a free transfer in 2023.
Spurs reportedly want £15-20m for Solomon this summer.
That would still be a significant portion of the transfer budget, though, and Leeds will have to decide if they want to bring Solomon back to the club permanently or not.
A new contract for Junior Firpo
It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Sam Byram and Josuha Guilavogui released when their contracts expire but question marks remain over Junior Firpo’s future.
It seemed like the star left-back would depart in the summer, but his wife’s post on Instagram has hinted a new deal could be reached after all.
Yet, Firpo is on big money after signing when the club was still in the Premier League and it’s hard to see a new contract being any lower, especially after his fantastic season.
The owners will have to quickly determine if he is worth the money.
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