The Leeds chair, Paraag Marathe, has ended speculation over the future of Daniel Farke by revealing he will stay on as manager at Elland Road in the Premier League next season.
Farke led Leeds to the Championship title and earned promotion back to the top-flight in his second season in charge of the club. Despite this success, there have been rumours that the 48-year-old could be relieved of his duties, having previously been relegated from the Premier League while Norwich manager after taking them up.
Marathe has now confirmed that Farke will remain. “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,” he told BBC Radio Leeds. “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.”
He added: “I’m under no illusions that it is going to be easy. The past two seasons the three promoted teams came straight back down but we have something they don’t have: we have Daniel Farke first of all.”
Asked to confirm if his comments put an end to speculation over the manager’s future, Marathe said: “I have ended the speculation. He is my man. I’m really excited about collaborating with Daniel, with Robbie Evans, who we promoted to managing director, with Adam Underwood, who we promoted to sporting director, and together, we are going to build the best squad that we can with every penny that we’re allowed to spend to go and compete in the Premier League.”
Marathe led 49ers Enterprises’ takeover of Leeds in July 2023. Farke’s first season in charge ended in the agony of a playoff final defeat to Southampton at Wembley. But promotion back to the top flight was sealed with a 6-0 victory over Stoke in April before a late winner at Plymouth on Saturday secured top spot in the Championship.
