Leeds chairman Paraag Marathe says he wants manager Daniel Farke to remain at Elland Road “much beyond this year”.
Farke has been in charge of the club since July 2023 and oversaw a 14th-place finish on Leeds’ return to the Premier League in 2025/26.
The 49-year-old is under contract until the summer of 2027.
But in May, he said he has finished the job he set out to do at Leeds United after keeping them in the Premier League and that he is “not the right choice” to stay on if the ownership’s plans do not match his ambition.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Sky Sports, Marathe said: “Daniel and I talk all the time and have extensive conversations about the squad, about the club, about the direction, about our dynamic.
“One thing I’m proud of is, what we set up three years ago when he first joined us in terms of how we wanted to set this up and how we wanted to go forward, we’ve lived that, exactly what we said we were going to do.
“At the same time, Daniel doesn’t need to pitch me on what the three-year ambition is, and I don’t need to pitch him on what that three-year plan and ambition is because we’re both ambitious.
“The truth is, Leeds United is bigger than any of us. Leeds United is bigger than me, it’s bigger than him.
“Neither one of us is jumping off that train; I hope Daniel is here this year and beyond and we just need to keep this going. My hope and expectation is that he’s here much beyond this year.”
Asked whether he would like Farke to stay, Marathe said: “Yes.”
Pressed on whether contract extension talks had started, he added: “I will keep those confidential, but absolutely I want him here this year and beyond. I think everyone at the club does.”
Ampadu signs new long-term Leeds contract
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Leeds chairman Andrea Radrizzani ‘proudly’ announces that Ethan Ampadu has signed a new four-year contract
Marathe also confirmed Leeds captain Ethan Ampadu has signed a new four-year contract at Elland Road.
“It’s rare when, as a club, you’re able to break your own news and so I’ll do that right now,” he said.
“I can proudly announce that we have signed Ethan Ampadu to a new four-year contract. The ink is dry and it’s done.
“That was important, to have our captain signed up for us because he’s been such a leader on and off the pitch.
“It was really important for us, especially in advance of the window, just to show what we’re all about. He truly represents Leeds United in such a positive and impactful way. He’s an icon for the club.”
The 25-year-old joined Leeds from Chelsea in July 2023 and has since played 126 times for the club.
How will Leeds marry compliance and squad strengthening this summer?
Leeds chairman Paraag Marathe speaking to Sky Sports:
“There’s no doubt we need to improve the squad. The one thing that’s different from last season is that the bar has been raised.
“Last season, we were a newly-promoted side and had to bring in a lot of players, but now we do have a lot of quality players.
“Are we pursuing inbounds? Yes. And there’ll probably be even more differentiated, potentially bigger players because the bar is higher. We’ll also have to manage some outs.
“I just think we need to be very strategic with the switch from PSR (Profit and Sustainability Rules) to SCR (Squad Cost Ratio). In some ways it’s beneficial and in some ways, for a club like us, there are some limitations.”
“SCR is more a function of your local revenue and what you can produce. So while we have a relatively smaller stadium (when it is being developed) our ability to spend up to 85 per cent of our revenue is just a little bit different in the short-term.
“Supporters shouldn’t be worried, we’re still going to pursue what we need to pursue, we’re going to be very strategic about it and we’re going to look to bring in a number of signings.”
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: skynews.com
