Farke has been praised for the way he has kept Leeds up this season
James Smailes Head of All Out Rugby League and Yorkshire sport at Reach plc
12:18, 14 May 2026Updated 12:27, 14 May 2026
Daniel Farke, Leeds United head coach(Image: Getty Images)
A season which started with some doubting whether Daniel Farke was the right man to lead Leeds United in the Premier League will end with that question soundly answered. There may have been a mid-season wobble in the faith of many surrounding the Leeds boss, but throughout 2026 any concerns some had were brushed aside as the Whites marched to safety and an FA Cup semi-final appearance at Wembley.
Farke has now been praised for the way he has conducted himself and the manner in which his Leeds side have played and competed in the top flight this campaign.
Sky Sports pundit and EFL stalwart Don Goodman has compared the doubts surrounding Farke with the criticism that was labelled at Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson at the start of the season, as he got another crack at the Championship for the first time in years.
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OPINION
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“I think people simply looked at Phil Parkinson’s experiences as a Championship manager. When I looked at it, his only real period of time was at Bolton Wanderers, where it was a struggle,” explained Goodman.
“Basically, doubting him is the easy thing to do. It is the same as the situation with Daniel Farke in the Premier League. He takes Leeds up and people say, ‘Oh, he did not do very well with Norwich City.’
“However, as I have said all along, Norwich are not Leeds United. With all respect, Leeds spent a lot more money than Norwich were able to and already had a more solid base of players to build from.
“I was optimistic that Leeds could survive and I am really pleased for Daniel Farke. It must be horrible to have it suggested that you are not good enough to be a Premier League manager when you never really had a chance at Norwich of surviving in those two seasons.
“I think Phil Parkinson might be the Championship equivalent of Daniel Farke in that regard.”
Don Goodman was speaking in association with Parimatch Casino.
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