Exclusive: Ian Harte talks up Leeds United's promotion hopes amid vote of confidence for Daniel Farke | OneFootball

FLW spoke exclusively to Ian Harte to get his thoughts on Leeds United's promotion hopes and Daniel Farke's future.

Key Takeaways

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Ian Harte revealed his thoughts on a number of ongoing situations at Leeds United, including Daniel Farke's future and predictions for 2024/25.

Leeds fans will remember Howard Wilkinson’s title-winning side adapting to the newly formed Premier League, whilst a slightly younger generation will look back fondly on David O’Leary’s sides reaching back-to-back European semi-finals.

By the time O’Leary departed in 2002, Leeds’ decline in the top-flight had begun, but the club would fight off relegation at the end of 2002/03. Prior to that, they had been a successful side regularly competing for the top four in the Premier League, including that Champions League run in 2001, where Harte was a key player throughout his nine seasons at the club.

The Irishman may have long since retired and become a football agent, but he had an illustrious playing career with Leeds, whilst he is also no stranger to the Championship, having won the title with Reading under Brian McDermott.

Promotion is the aim again for his former side, although losing in the play-off final certainly came as a bitter blow to Leeds fans and players alike, as the Whites were unable to gain promotion at the first time of asking and many knew that they faced a tough summer period of rebuilding.

Now, results at the back end of the season saw Farke come under some scrutiny from certain sections of the fanbase, having failed to gain automatic promotion from a strong position. That hasn't been helped by the fact his side have got off to a rocky start this season after they were soundly beaten by Middlesbrough in the cup clash last week, and have also failed to win either of their first two league fixtures.

Ian Harte talks Daniel Farke and Leeds United's promotion hopes

In fairness to Farke, he has also had plenty to deal with in the last two summer windows, having had to cope during the transfer period, which was a frenetic time last year and has seen key players leave this year as well. Namely: Archie Gray, Crysencio Summerville, and Georginio Rutter.

The loss to Middlesbrough and the lack of movement in the market since Jayden Bogle's signing has caused some unrest amongst the Leeds fanbase. Farke has come under some pressure from a few sections of the Leeds contingent.

Harte is backing them to quickly turn things around. Speaking exclusively to Football League World via Free Bets, Harte said: "I think Daniel Farke has a proven track record.

"He's a top, top quality manager. But, of course, losing players like Gray, Summerville, and Rutter is a blow.

"There's obviously a bit of disappointment from last season and getting beaten in the [play-off] final. "It happened to myself at Reading when we got beaten by Swansea City, so you do come back that following season and everyone is a little bit down. "But I think once Leeds get going, I think they will take some stopping. "I expect them to, because there is enough quality in that squad. They have Premier League experience as well. "I think, obviously, over the next few days that they are going to be trying to recruit certain players in positions.

"But I think it will be exciting times and Leeds fans will be getting right behind the team."

On Daniel Farke, he added: "I think Daniel is a top, top manager.

"Obviously, the pressure is on as well, with the 49ers group, but Daniel is definitely the right man for the job."

Daniel Farke's Leeds United problems

The Whites are still in a strong position after they missed out on promotion, and although there are challenges Farke needs to find better answers for, Harte is right to point out that he is the right man for the role in many ways.

Leeds have started to struggle when teams compact the middle of the pitch or sit deep in a low block, and solutions can be found both tactically and in the transfer market. However, Farke has won the league twice at this level, and finished in third during his other full season last term.

Leeds have lost some of their best players this summer and still need reinforcements in the market in the final weeks of the window, but continuity with a manager and strong squad with a two-time winner of the Championship at the helm could be of huge benefit to Leeds in the long run.

That's especially true when factoring in some of the difficulties they have faced this year, which should be lessened by more stability this summer. They have cleared out most of the unwanted players and been left with a thin squad, but one that appears more streamlined and in Farke's image.

They looked a little toothless at the Hawthorns, but Largie Ramazani should go a long way to replacing Summerville and Rutter's output. However, Leeds need a few extra bodies in during the final week of the window, as Harte alludes to.