NafisaWhat lies ahead for Manor Solomon this summer? That’s the query on the minds of most Leeds United supporters. And that’s the question we posed to him.
The response, as it turns out, is quite substantial. He will be tying the knot with his fiancée, Dana, in June, having savored his first-ever open-top bus parade and—hopefully—having hoisted the Championship trophy a month prior.
“I think it’s the first time in my career that I will have such a long summer. I think almost two months,” Solomon admits to Leeds Live. “I’ll have the national team break in between. But I haven’t been home since June – or I’ve only been home just maybe 40 hours.
“So I’m looking forward to [the summer]. It’s been a long time and I just want to celebrate with my friends and my family.”
The sun is blazing outside on the warmest day of the year so far, but thankfully, we’re conversing on the air-conditioned indoor pitch at Thorp Arch, half an hour before Daniel Farke holds his final pre-match press conference of the season.
There are several pressing issues that fans are eager to explore, one being Solomon and his future. So, have there been any discussions about the loanee remaining at Leeds permanently? Has parent club Tottenham commented?
“No, not yet. Honestly, I really don’t know what’s going to happen in the summer,” he candidly confesses.
“I still have three years left on my contract with Tottenham, so at the moment we really don’t know. So far I’ve been always only focused on the season and what we want to achieve, and still we have an important game to go.
“And I think that after this game [vs Plymouth Argyle on Saturday], then we will start to think about my future. But so far, I’ve been only focused on the right now.”
Indeed, Farke later confirmed that no decisions on contracts or offers have been finalized, but talks with the restructured board are slated for mid-next week, with agents to be reached out to.
The encouraging news, perhaps, is that Solomon is a well-liked figure at Leeds. Club staff have lauded the courteous winger’s character and dedication throughout his loan stint.
Teammates are grateful to have him alongside them, conjuring moments of brilliance. The manager has described the 25-year-old as “a joy to work with”.
Meanwhile, astonishingly, there has been speculation about Daniel Farke’s future at Elland Road. The notion of replacing the record-setting manager has not been well-received by most match-goers, who vocally and repeatedly chanted his name during the Bristol City game on Monday.
Reports that 49ers Enterprises chief Paraag Marathe flew from San Francisco specifically to discuss Farke’s future this week have been deemed inaccurate by club sources. It’s clarified that his UK visit is to celebrate the club’s ascent to the Premier League.
Naturally, most clubs conduct regular manager reviews, including end-of-season performance assessments. Given Farke’s mention of next week’s planned strategy meetings with board members in Thursday’s press conference, he at least anticipates continuity.
A managerial change ahead of a pivotal summer could jeopardize many aspects, notably transfer planning and player relationships. Farke was a key factor in Solomon’s decision to join Leeds initially.
His continued presence would significantly influence the Israel international’s consideration of a permanent transfer to United, should an offer materialize. “Daniel was one of the decisions [sic] why I joined Leeds, so definitely it could be one of the reasons why I will join Leeds in the summer, why or not,” he said.
“So I really don’t know at the moment, I haven’t thought about it so much, to be fair. As I said, I’ve been always only focused on my time here and on the season, and I don’t know what will happen in the summer.
“Really I just wish him the best here at Leeds or whatever will happen. He deserves it.”
Speaking glowingly of Farke, Solomon added: “I remember our first call on the phone. We had a long call and he told me that he wanted me and explained to me what he wanted to see from me on the pitch.
“When I came here, straight away he helped me to settle down and to acclimatise within the team. And also when I had a bad period, he was always behind me.
“We always had conversations and he wanted to help me to achieve my best. So I can say that he has a lot of credit for the season that I’ve had.”
Solomon was among the first signings Ange Postecoglou made as Tottenham manager, though he only featured six times under the Australian before a knee meniscus injury sidelined him for the remainder of last season.
With Postecoglou’s future uncertain at his parent club, further uncertainty clouds the attacker’s prospects in London. Solomon has previously stated he took a gamble by dropping down a tier to join Leeds on loan last summer.
Nine goals and 13 assists mark his most productive campaign since arriving in England, making it—by his own account—his “best” season on British soil, having grappled with injuries at Fulham and Tottenham. The gamble has proven worthwhile.
Off the pitch, Solomon has adapted well to life in Leeds. It’s a one-club city that he will always cherish, regardless of what this summer brings.
“I’ve really enjoyed it so far. I enjoy the fans, the city of Leeds. Me and my missus, we really enjoy the life here.
“And initially, when we came here, we were really worried because we came from London, maybe one of the best cities in the world, and we had so many Israeli friends. And to come up here was not easy.
“But I can say that we have really enjoyed it. And I enjoy every second at the club. As I said, my teammates, I like them. I like the technical staff, the fans, the club – and I think that the people here up north are a bit warmer than the people in London.
“So I really don’t know what the future holds, but whatever happens, Leeds United will always remain in my heart for good. Maybe it’s just the beginning, maybe it is the end, I really don’t know.”
One certainty for Solomon is the immense affection shown by the United fanbase. He was astounded by the scenes inside Elland Road last Monday night.
“It was amazing to see all the fans. The atmosphere was unbelievable. I think it’s the best atmosphere that I’ve ever seen or I’ve ever been part of,” he outlines.
“You know, throughout the whole game it was so special and they kind of pushed us and we wanted to give everything on the pitch even though we secured the promotion. And I can say that… It was the game that I enjoyed the most.
“Because of the way we played and also because the atmosphere. And after the game, when we went with our families and everyone and we celebrated, it was so nice. And it’s something that I will always remember.”
On the fans’ reception of him personally, Solomon added: “To be a loan player at a different club, sometimes it’s a bit strange because don’t always feel at home, because you know that maybe in the end of the season you will not be here.
“But this season when I was here on loan, I can say that I didn’t feel like I was on loan. I felt like I was one of their players, one of Leeds’ players. They’ve treated me very well from the beginning.
“Of course as I started to play more and as I started to contribute, I started to hear them singing and cheering and saying my name a lot, so I really love it. I love them.
“I appreciate everything that they do for me and for the club and for the players. I can say that we really need them and also in the next season – if I be here or not, it doesn’t matter. I think the players and the club will need them.
“And to be really strong as they have been this season because I think the fans here at Leeds United, they are really special and they are the biggest part of this club for me.”
Solomon secured the Ukrainian title twice with Shakhtar Donetsk, but a victory for Leeds on Saturday in Plymouth would mark his first piece of silverware on English turf. And that’s very much a priority.
“It would be the perfect [ending] because we’ve done everything already,” Solomon said. “We’ve won so many games, we’ve scored so many goals, we’ve achieved our main goal which was to get the promotion – we have done it.
“So the final thing that’s missing is to get that final win and to be crowned as the champions of this league. I think we deserve it. We’ve shown throughout the whole season that we are the best team in this league.
“Burnley and Sheffield United – they’ve also had a great season, especially Burnley, and I think they deserve this promotion. But we want to be in the first spot, as I said, I think we deserve it.
“You could see it also in the last game, that we really wanted it. That, maybe we had promotion already, but we fought from the beginning. We wanted to push from the beginning to show that we are in not only to get the promotion, but also to win the Championship.”
That appears likely, with Leeds strong favorites to defeat a Plymouth Argyle side that is virtually relegated.
Regardless, the summer—and the year—of 2025 will remain etched in Solomon’s memory. As will Leeds United Football Club.
Nafisa
