August 13, 2025
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Leeds United could take a major risk if they decide not to continue with Daniel Farke into the Premier League season he has steered them towards.

Farke guided Leeds to promotion back to the top flight at the second attempt, and still has a chance to win the title with 100 points with victories in each of the final two fixtures.

Leeds’ party has coincided with that of Burnley, who could also become centurions, as Sheffield United must settle for a place in the play-offs.

Daniel Farke
Farke has won his third career promotion to the Premier League (Credit: Imago)

Leeds United could swap Farke for Kjetil Knutsen

Leeds would be making an enormously ruthless call if they were to dispense with Farke, especially considering the same regime kept him last season despite play-off final defeat.

This is the year Farke has got his squad fulfilling his remit, to step it up and ensure the points total is enough. Leeds must ensure they fund the manager adequately in the transfer market to buck a trend of promoted clubs plummeting straight back into the Championship.

According to the Express (23 April), Kjetil Knutsen could be on a potential list of candidates. The Norwegian has taken his current side Bodo/Glimt to an unlikely Europa League semi-final, where they will face Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham Hotspur over two legs for a place in next month’s final in Bilbao.

The 56-year-old would take some convincing from any new job given what he has done with Bodo, who have only just begun their domestic season which is played over the summer months in Norway, as he has been with the side since 2018.

Knutsen has been linked with the Premier League in the past, but so far nobody has taken the punt.

Leeds have been tipped for him after what they have done in Europe this year, which last week included eliminating Roman giants Lazio.

Farke will wonder what more he can do as 49ers consider next move

Farke is understood not to be concerned about losing his job, as he marches towards the Premier League for the third time in his managerial career.

Having done the same with Norwich City on two occasions, he kept his job when the Canaries were relegated in 2020, but was sacked in November 2021 with his side bottom of the Premier League.

However, they had barely invested into the squad and successor Dean Smith could not prevent a paltry bottom-placed finish.

POS Championship table 2024-25 PLD PTS GD
1 LEEDS UNITED 44 94 +60
2 Burnley 44 94 +46
3 Sheffield United 44 86 +25

Leeds can still finish on 100 points – but Farke may not see next season in post

Farke would be wondering what more he could have done if he was shown the door without being given a chance to start well in the Premier League and improve the squad.

It could come down to who becomes available in the summer, though a significant chunk of money would be required to sack Farke with two years remaining on his contract and appoint a new boss – whose pressure to hit the ground running would be heaving.

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