Daniel Farke’s Leeds United Showing the Value of Plan B

Since what has become a much-discussed half-time team talk away at Manchester City in late November, Leeds United have seen a significant upturn in fortunes which has given them a real chance of retaining their Premier League status for next season.

Previously a manager under real pressure to keep his job, Daniel Farke’s change in system and ability to adapt has seen the German tactician earn plenty of plaudits for the work he is doing at Elland Road.

The Fabled Etihad Stadium Half-Time

Two goals down after 25 minutes and at the half-time whistle, it looked set to be a long afternoon in store for Farke’s men at Manchester City in late November. Leeds, who are 16/1 in the Premier League odds to be relegated this season, had an honest discussion in the dressing room at the Etihad Stadium, with Farke and striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin believed to have had plenty to say. The Whites, who are 6/1 with Premier League tips to finish in the top half of the table this term, responded by scoring two goals to level things against Pep Guardiola’s star-studded side. Although Leeds went on to lose that game 3-2, a seed and a way of playing was planted in the West Yorkshire outfit.

Leeds’ success in the Championship, on their way to the title in the 2024/25 season, was founded on an unwavering 4-2-3-1 system that worked wonders in the second tier. Farke had moved towards more of a 4-3-3 in the early stages of life back in the Premier League, but that was not yielding the results the Whites were hoping for. Ultimately, the switch to a 3-5-2 system and that second-half performance at Manchester City sparked a dramatic change in fortunes for Leeds through the busy festive period.

Farke Silencing Doubters With Adaptability

After what was a tough run in November, with Leeds losing all of their games that month, doubts regarding Farke’s credentials as a Premier League manager flared up once again. Previously struggling with a minimal budget in the top flight at former club Norwich City, there were some who suggested Farke’s rigid methods were not going to work in the Premier League.

The German tactician has managed to answer his critics as, following that defeat at City, Leeds went on to go unbeaten in December, in a month that saw them face the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool. Becoming much harder to break down in their new 3-5-2 system saw Leeds concede fewer goals, while the formation also brought the best out of striker Calvert-Lewin, who became the first Leeds player to win a Premier League Player of the Month award since Rio Ferdinand back in 2001.

Leeds have certainly still got plenty of work left to do if they are to retain their Premier League status for next season, with undoubted twists and turns remaining in the campaign. However, with Farke’s ability to adapt his tactics and his players’ openness to operating in multiple systems, Leeds United have given themselves more than a fighter’s chance of achieving their goal.

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