Farke turnaround has Leeds aiming to thrive not just survive

August 22, 2026 No Comments

Farke turnaround has Leeds aiming to thrive not just surviveImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Daniel Farke helped Leeds United maintain their Premier League status last seasonByAdwaidh RajanBBC Sport journalistPublished25 minutes agoAnton Stach wheeled away towards the travelling supporters as his stunning late free-kick turned a point into three for Leeds United against Nottingham Forest in their Premier League opener.

The jubilation after the final whistle at the City Ground on Saturday was in stark contrast to the scenes when Daniel Farke’s side made their visit to Nottingham last season.

In November 2025, Lukas Nmecha had struck early to put Leeds ahead but the hosts responded with three goals to hand Sean Dyche his first victory as Forest manager and deepen the fear of a quick relegation in the Leeds minds.

That result was also supposed to ignite Forest’s revival under the third of their four managers last campaign but, nine months later, it is Leeds who appear to have all the momentum.

Farke’s side have won five of their past eight league games, collecting 17 points, with only Arsenal (18) amassing more since the start of April.

“I expected a difficult game away at Forest,” Farke told BBC Match of the Day after the opening win.

“I’m very happy to come away with a cleansheet and compliments to the players.”

With exciting new signings and growing belief, Leeds will hope this winning start means they can aim to thrive rather than just survive this time around.

“We know our targets and goals,” Leeds captain Ethan Ampadu told BBC Final Score.

“We want to be a Premier League club next season. We want to achieve that target and then get to a better place. Once that can be achieved, we think of everything else.”

‘We wanted to get off to the best start’

Leeds finished 14th last season – eight points comfortably clear of the drop zone.

So it is easy to forget that their life back in the Premier League did not begin very smoothly. They only won three of their opening 13 games and lost eight as the pressure piled on Farke and his players.

But a tactical switch from a 4-3-3 system to 3-5-2 in a 3-2 defeat by Manchester City at Etihad Stadium on 29 November turned their fortunes around. They only lost five times for the remainder of the season.

And Farke’s side are determined not to make the same mistakes in their second season in the top flight.

“There were times in the first half of last year where we allowed teams to run over us a bit,” Ampadu stated.

“We wanted to get a bit more solid and put our stamp on the game. We want the ball, we want to be attacking and creative.”

Leeds only won two games on the road during the whole of the 2025-26 campaign, making their triumph at City Ground all the more satisfactory.

“Away games in Premier League are always difficult,” Farke stated.

“Sometimes the second year is more difficult. Last season, we picked up many points with draws. On the road, we want to be competitive and be more effective.”

Summer arrivals make instant impact

Leeds United's English goalkeeper #01 James Trafford gestures during the English Premier League football match between Nottingham Forest and Leeds United — Image caption,

James Trafford made three saves in his Leeds United debut

After leading Leeds to safety, Farke had threatened to quit, saying he is “not the right choice” to lead the club if they fail to match his ambition in the summer.

The club hierarchy listened and backed the German in the transfer market in the summer, investing about £80m on new arrivals.

Three of them started for Leeds in their season opener and encouragingly for Farke offered early signs of promise.

Goalkeeper James Trafford justified the £45m – a record for a British goalkeeper – Leeds paid to Manchester City for his services with some decisive stops.

Bosnia-Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic not only put in a solid shift in defence but also proved he is a weapon from set-pieces as he tested Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels with a towering header at the other end.

Harry Wilson, who signed for free after 10 goals and seven assists for Fulham last season, almost marked his debut with a goal before he was denied by the offside flag.

“From the very first minute they walked into the building, they have shown their quality,” Ampadu stated.

“They have shown why they have been brought in to try and help us get to the next level. They’ve shown that hunger and drive to take Leeds to a better place so that has been very good.”

Farke also echoed his captain’s sentiments, saying: “I am very happy because they have big boots to fill.

“Trafford is a good player but he hasn’t played that many Premier League games, Tarik too. So they both shined and showed why we agreed to sign them, but the whole group was excellent today.

“Wilson too was excellent. The vibe and mood is good around the place,” stated Farke, who is now the third-longest-serving manager in the league after Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta and Aston Villa’s Unai Emery.

With new arrivals making an immediate impact and old faces such as Stach continuing to deliver the goods, Leeds have every reason to believe this season could be their best yet under Farke.

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