Marathe Ends Managerial Speculation

Daniel Farke secured his third Championship title on Saturday as Leeds United lifted the famous trophy after a 2–1 victory against Plymouth Argyle at Home Park, finishing the season with a club record 100-point haul. Farke’s record in the Championship now reads 230 matches played, 127 won, 60 drawn, 43 lost, with a total of 441 points accumulated. With such amazing statistics under his belt, it’s perhaps a little surprising that, for most of the past week, there has been persistent discussion about Farke’s future and whether he is the right man to lead Leeds United in the Premier League next season.

For some fans, the speculation was understandable. Despite his undeniable dominance in the second tier, Farke has struggled at Premier League level. During two stints with Norwich City, he managed just six wins in 49 matches across two top-flight campaigns, recording a meagre 12.2% win percentage—the lowest of any manager with more than 43 games in Premier League history. Both seasons ended in swift relegation. Given that track record, questions lingered: would the 49ers Enterprises group, now fully in control at Elland Road, entrust the German with another attempt at Premier League survival?

Those doubts only intensified when the Daily Mail—frequently used in the past as a conduit for messaging by the club’s hierarchy—published a story suggesting Farke's future was under review. Fans began to wonder whether the club’s owners were quietly testing the waters for a potential managerial change. But on Sunday, Leeds United chairman Paraag Marathe finally put those rumours to bed, publicly backing Farke and confirming he will be the man to lead Leeds back into the Premier League.

I do have something to say. And, you know, I am someone who will speak when I have something to say and when I feel like it's the right time for me. I'm not one to respond because some random gossip paper wants to say something. I'm not going to make comments based on rumours and gossip. But now, today is that day.

Marathe revealed that he had always intended to make a statement after the season concluded, believing it was important to focus first on achieving the club’s immediate goal: promotion. That target was achieved in style, and the chairman said he was now ready to speak about the future.

I was waiting for the season to conclude. I wanted to win a trophy, just like Daniel did, just like the players did, just like all the staff did, and we got that goal. My plan was always to come and speak to you all right after the season concluded, and so that time is now, and I want to tell you all that I'm very excited to run it back with Daniel.

That vote of confidence will come as a relief to many Leeds fans, particularly after a season in which Farke rebuilt both the culture and credibility of the football club. Taking over in the aftermath of relegation and a messy summer of loan exits, the German restored discipline and belief, and oversaw an exciting brand of football that resulted in the club’s first title since the days of Don Revie. Despite his Premier League record, Marathe made it clear that Farke is central to the club’s future, highlighting not only his tactical nous but his ability to galvanise players and supporters alike.

He is such a calming force. You know, presence would be an understatement if I say calming presence—he's just a calming force for supporters, for players, for the club. He really has a superpower that way. He told you all he was 100 per cent confident that we're going to the Prem, and he believed it. I love him for it. He has that conviction and belief.

Marathe also moved to clarify that Farke had not been left in the dark during the past weeks of speculation. Though the club had remained silent publicly, the chairman said he had reassured Farke privately.

We continue to stay in touch all the time. I did tell him privately that I'm looking forward to moving forward together, and I just didn't feel like it was my time to speak just because someone wanted to put out a rumour or whatever. It wasn't my place in time to speak at that point. But I did talk to him privately.

Nevertheless, he admitted regret at how the situation had unfolded in the public eye, acknowledging the strain the uncertainty may have placed on the coaching team.

I do want to say I feel bad about the last couple weeks of all that speculation. I felt bad that Daniel and the coaches probably felt they were twisting in the wind a little bit. I tried to do what I could privately. It just felt like to me, I'm going to speak when I have something to say and when the time is right.

Looking ahead, Marathe spoke confidently about Leeds’ Premier League return. He acknowledged the challenges, pointing to the fates of recent promoted teams, but insisted Leeds were in a stronger position than most—thanks in large part to their manager.

I'm under no illusions that it's going to be easy. I know all the stats—last season's three promoted clubs went right back down. Two years ago, three promoted clubs went right back down. But we have something that they don't. We have Daniel Farke, first of all, and a tremendous coaching staff. We have players that believe that the sum of the parts are greater than the individual pieces.

With the recent promotions of Robbie Evans to managing director and Adam Underwood to sporting director, along with new commercial deals such as Red Bull’s partnership and a record shirt sponsorship, Marathe believes Leeds are well-placed to compete.

We have a community that supports our club. We have a 28,000-person paid season ticket waiting list—28,000 is more than many Premier League clubs' actual season ticket list. We have great partners in Red Bull, and now, obviously our front of shirt goes up significantly. So there's an opportunity for us to take all of that extra revenue, and literally all of that extra revenue, and pour it right back onto the pitch.

As the club prepares for a crucial summer window, clarity around the manager’s position is a vital first step. With Paraag Marathe’s backing now emphatically confirmed, Leeds United can begin planning for the Premier League with Daniel Farke at the helm—just as it always should have been.