Daniel Farke tells Leeds United ownership to comply with his wishes if he is to move on ahead of crucial summer for club and manager | Football news

Daniel Farke says he has finished the job he wanted to do at Leeds United after keeping them in the Premier League and that he is “not the right option” to continue if the ownership plans do not match his wishes.

Farke has been overachieving this season, sealing Leeds’ survival with two games to spare and leading the club to their first FA Cup semi-final since 1987, and his comments on Friday reflect the power he now possesses.

Ahead of meeting Leeds’ management in the coming weeks, where player recruitment and his future are expected to be on the agenda, Farke has set his table early on what he would like his next chapter at Elland Road to look like.

“I’m ambitious and this is very important for me going forward,” Farke said ahead of Sunday’s final home game of the season against Brighton, live on Sky Sports.

“I like attractive football, maybe for sides in the top half of the table, but I like to be a manager who plays for something rather than avoiding something.

“I’m not the right choice when it comes to maintaining the status quo. I have to be sure about the project and I’m at my best when I buy a project. I can pick and choose what I’m sure about.

“Leeds had one good season in the Premier League 25 years ago, the (first) season with Marcelo (Bielsa), and we didn’t build on it.

“You have to improve and you have to change. This is what I stand for, so it’s important that we talk internally together and trust each other more.”

Farke wants to maintain control

Farke has made it clear that he wants to stay at Leeds but on the condition that he will continue with the same control he was given when they agreed his four-year contract in 2023 after the club was relegated from the Premier League.

“It’s important that you get along because I don’t decide the team,” he said. “We have to talk about what we are going to do, what are the new goals, what are the new methods, can we keep our top players, can we improve the squad, can we bring in players who make us better?

“Until now, this club wanted me to manage the sport and wanted me to be there with the final decision on everything. Maybe they have other thoughts about going forward. Maybe not.

“We have to talk about it, but one thing is certain, I will lead the project when I am in charge again [take] decisions, as I have done in recent years.”

Analysis: Farke applies pressure ahead of crucial summer

Daniel Farke’s stock at Leeds United has never been higher than it is now. His latest comments reflect that. They can only be interpreted as a manager putting pressure on his managers ahead of an important summer for him and the club.

Farke still has one year left on his contract, which gives him leverage when it comes to plans for next season. Of course, they will also have an impact on what happens to his future.

There is no doubt that Farke has found that after the last three seasons. He sees the opportunity ahead of him and the potential at Elland Road – but he doesn’t want Leeds to fall into the same trap as last time in the Premier League.

Owners Leeds are ambitious in the summer, and there is no indication right now that the two clubs are on different pages when it comes to the future.

Premier League financial rules mean the club must be realistic about their spending, but there is no reason last summer’s success, when nearly £100m was spent, cannot be repeated.

Farke has a squad full of characters who have the fight and determination to play his intense style of football. Now he wants to make up for the lack of individual quality in the existing team.

The Leeds manager’s decision to switch to five back in December was the reason for Leeds’ survival. But it was the first time he had made such a start since taking over at Elland Road. He always preferred to play in the back four.

Leeds closed the mark in the Championship with 100 points playing in 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1. Those who know Farke believe he would like to return to that if Leeds can get their right to hire him.

The message from Farke is clear: He is ambitious and wants Leeds to match that if they are to recommit to each other.