Daniel Farke has made it clear that remaining as Leeds’ head coach “would not be the right choice” if the club failed to live up to his ambitions in the summer.
Falke seeks support in transfer market
“I’m ambitious and this is very important for me going forward,” Farke said ahead of Sunday’s final home game of the season against Brighton.
“I love attractive football, teams that are probably in the top half of the table, but I want to be a manager who plays for something, not to avoid something.
“If it means maintaining the status quo, then I’m not the right choice. I have to make sense of the project, and I’m at my best when I’m involved in the project. I can be selective and choose what makes sense to me.”
“Leeds have had one good season in the Premier League in the last 25 years and that was Marcelo (Bielsa)’s (first) season in charge, but we didn’t build on that.
“We have to grow, we have to evolve. This is what I stand for. So it’s important that we talk internally and with great trust.”
The German said there was “no doubt in my mind” that he wanted to stay on as manager, thanking the owners, players and fans of the club after a successful season that saw them reach the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time since 1987.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that it’s important that we don’t just write an ongoing story,” he added. “I am full of belief and energy, but I have to be realistic and have a vision about what my goals are and what my next steps are.
“We had a three-year plan and we have to have a similar plan again. If we just try to survive again, what will happen is the same thing as last time (when Leeds were relegated in 2023).
Leeds have made a £39m transfer offer for Wolves star and have received a response.
Los Blancos gave it their all.
“The boxes have been ticked and I have to set new goals for myself. I know what is possible here at Leeds United and how much I believe in this club. But I’m not running the club so it’s important that we’re all on the same page. I’m running the team and it’s important that we talk.”
“Can we keep the best players or can we bring in new players? One thing is for sure: when I take charge, I will only lead the project and I will have to be as honest as I was three years ago, because there is no point in just surviving one more year.”
Leeds transfer news: Delap, Schuster, Buonanotte
Leeds have already made positive progress this summer as they look to live up to their manager’s ambitions.
In fact, Los Blancos have reportedly begun contract negotiations with Chelsea striker Liam Delap, and it is clear that they plan to sign a new striker, with RB Leipzig’s Reus Openda also a target.
Leeds also tried to sign defender Jannik Schuster when it became clear Red Bull’s other club Salzburg were open to a sale, but Brentford swooped in first and secured a £17m deal.
Leeds tried to snatch their £17m star, who is set to join the Premier League club this summer.
Los Blancos are in talks to sign an “outstanding” player.
They also need to decide what to do with loanee Facundo Buonanotte, with Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler confirming this week that he is trying to get in touch to find out why the Argentine has played just three games for Leeds.
“I’m not there, I’m not in his head. Of course I don’t know exactly what’s going on,” the Seagulls manager said when asked about the 21-year-old’s future.
“I’m in touch with the loan manager and trying to understand the situation from the individual players, but it’s always very difficult to judge things from the outside and from this side.”
Buonanotte has only played 74 minutes in a Leeds shirt, but it would be surprising if Falke wanted to keep him beyond the summer.
