Leeds United are becoming increasingly concerned about manager Daniel Farke following their 1-0 home defeat to Burnley on Saturday, Football Insider reports.
The Whites’ first loss of the season came against one of their direct promotion rivals, leaving them in eighth place in the Championship. The growing worry stems not just from the weekend’s defeat but also from their overall form, having managed only two wins in their opening five matches.
After missing out on promotion to the Premier League last season, with a play-off final loss to Southampton, the expectation this year was for Leeds to secure automatic promotion. The board is reportedly cautious of another slow start, recalling that Farke’s side only managed two wins in their first seven games last year, which eventually left them six points shy of automatic promotion. The club’s slow beginning in the 2023/24 campaign is raising alarm bells once again.
The loss to Burnley was particularly significant as it took place at Elland Road, with Burnley expected to be a key competitor for promotion. Scott Parker’s Burnley team now sits in fourth, while Leeds slipped to eighth. According to reports, Farke is now under scrutiny following last season’s disappointment and this season’s lacklustre start, though the board stuck by him over the summer.
Farke has faced a challenging summer, losing several key players, including Crysencio Summerville, Glen Kamara, Georginio Rutter, and Archie Gray. However, he did receive a boost when Wilfried Gnonto opted to stay with the club, providing some stability to an otherwise unsettled squad.
While a managerial change is not expected in the immediate future, Leeds’ upcoming fixtures against Cardiff City and Coventry City now carry added significance. With promotion rivals such as West Bromwich Albion, Sunderland, Blackburn Rovers, and Sheffield United already showing good form, Leeds cannot afford to drop many more points so early in the season if they are to remain competitive for a top-two finish.
Site Opinion: No Panic Yet
While concerns may be brewing following Saturday’s defeat, it seems premature to expect a change in management at this stage. Leeds United’s board made the decision to stand by Daniel Farke over the summer, and it is still early days in the season.
The Championship is notorious for rapid shifts in form, as seen last season when Leeds made a midseason push. Farke has also had to navigate a tricky transfer window, which saw key players depart, and he deserves some time to integrate the squad and get them to perform at their best. Leeds are still regarded as strong contenders for automatic promotion, and many of their rivals will likely drop points over the long season. For example, Burnley have already been beaten by Sunderland, who in turn suffered a shock defeat to Plymouth Argyle over the weekend.
Although the situation isn’t critical yet, football can change quickly, and Leeds must get back on track soon to avoid falling too far behind.
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