Daniel Farke deserves credit, says Leeds standout Anton Stach | OneFootball

Anton Stach says Daniel Farke deserves credit for making Leeds United competitive in the Premier League, as the newly promoted side close on survival.

According to yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk, the post-promotion brief was to avoid the fate of last season’s promoted trio. Leicester City, Southampton and Ipswich Town mustered 59 points between them. Southampton, who beat Leeds in the 2024 play-off final, finished on 12, Ipswich 22 and Leicester 25.

The table now vindicates keeping Farke and a recruitment plan prioritising athleticism and stamina alongside quality. Farke insisted they signed footballers, not cloggers. Stach, six foot four, eats up ground, relishes duels and, on the ball, creates chances and scores.

On Friday he drew a standing ovation when replaced on 70 minutes as Leeds beat Burnley to reach 43 points, leaving them close to safety. After a November run of one win in seven, they trailed 2-0 at half-time at Man City until Farke moved to a back three. The 3-2 defeat was followed by a win over Chelsea and a draw with Liverpool, sparking seven unbeaten.

Stach said the key was players and staff staying aligned in that spell, not falling apart. For him, a good team proves itself when setbacks force a response.

He is unsure how much credit Farke gets, but believes he should receive it, arguing Leeds were in nearly every game with points there to take, aside from Arsenal. The job is not finished, though Leeds could be safe if Arsenal beat West Ham on Sunday.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk