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Dec 9, 2025
Daniel Farke, Leeds and a week that could be the making of him
The New York Times
Daniel Farke and his team have earned four points from matches against Chelsea and Liverpool Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images
As Phil Foden wheeled away to celebrate within 60 seconds of kick-off at the Etihad Stadium, it felt conceivably like the beginning of Daniel Farke's final week at Leeds United. The England international had dismantled any semblance of a pre-match plan by the manager and blew up his newly-installed left flank before many fans had even taken their seats.
The fear was, after five defeats in six games and two particularly insipid away trips, a wounded Manchester City would lay it on so thickly that Leeds' morale could be irrecoverable. If United were to sink to a sixth defeat in seven matches, and by several goals, it may have been the catalyst for action in the boardroom or at least the precursor for a week of insurmountable misery at the hands of Chelsea and Liverpool.
Seven days on, the turnaround at Elland Road has been quite remarkable.
There was never any question the players were still fighting for their manager, but the results and points weren't there. In a season where relegation is unthinkable for this ambitious ownership group, the further Leeds slipped behind the point-per-game average they need, the more enticing the trigger was going to look.
And yet, here they are, with arguably the toughest week of the season behind them, four points better off, outside the relegation zone and averaging one point per game once again. Between half-time in Manchester and full-time against Liverpool, Leeds have an aggregate lead of eight goals to five against three of the division's most expensive squads. Chelsea were seen off 3-1 and Leeds climbed off the canvas to draw 3-3 with the champions, having trailed 2-0 and 3-2.
Farke's gone from supporters audibly telling him he doesn't know what he's doing (following the home defeat against Aston Villa) to virtually cementing his mid-term position and, potentially, turning this season around
