NafisaLeeds United’s long-term planning is beginning to take clearer shape behind the scenes, with discussions already well underway over Daniel Farke’s future and what the next phase of the project should look like at Elland Road.
After securing a 14th-place finish in their most recent Premier League campaign, while also reaching an FA Cup semi-final for the first time since 1987, there is a growing sense within the club that progress has been made in key areas. It has allowed both Farke and the hierarchy to reflect positively on a season that exceeded internal expectations.
However, there is also a recognition that standing still is not an option in the Premier League. The club’s internal roadmap now points towards sustained improvement over a multi-year cycle, with officials believing it typically takes at least three uninterrupted seasons at the top level to properly establish stability and competitiveness.
With Farke’s current contract entering its final year, Leeds are now preparing to open formal talks over an extension that would secure his long-term future at Elland Road and continue the continuity they have been building.
Following his ability to steady the ship amid early-season criticism, and guide the team through a difficult run of form that included pressure from outside voices, the German coach has strengthened his position significantly. He has also publicly challenged the board to align with his ambition and support the next stage of progression.
As sources confirmed to TEAMtalk on May 18, Leeds are fully committed to retaining Farke and are also prepared to reward him with a notable salary increase in recognition of his work since taking charge of the Whites.
Now, according to Italian journalist Nicolo Schira, writing on X, Leeds are actively negotiating a new three-year contract that would extend his stay at the club through to 2029.
Supporters appear firmly behind the idea of continuity in the dugout. With a win rate of around 50% (Farke has 74 wins from his 148 games at the Leeds helm), a poll conducted by LeedsLive showed 88% of fans in favour of extending his stay, with just 12% preferring a change.
Furthermore, recent comments from director Peter Lowry have offered some insight into where Leeds aim to reach over the next three years under Farke…
Leeds planning new Farke deal as director reveals big plans:
Speaking in a recent interview, Lowry outlined the wider strategic vision at Elland Road, touching on stadium expansion, infrastructure development, and long-term financial stability, while confirming that Farke’s future forms part of those broader discussions.
“Football’s an integrated business, it’s not just Daniel on the football pitch,” he said. “When we bought it, we set goals, we set targets and as Daniel rightly said, we have met all our targets in football.
“We have met all our targets in finance. We got rid of the £200million-plus player debt, players we didn’t have.
“We refinanced the thing; our revenue was up substantially. Then, from the development side, we got the approval and started building (Elland Road’s redevelopment).
“If you look at the business, Daniel is an executive in one section, (there are other sections and) they’ve all met their goals. Where Daniel is right is that we need to sit down, which we will do now, and set a new set of goals.”
Lowy added that Farke’s recent stance, where he urged the club to match his ambition, is actually aligned with the board’s own thinking rather than being seen as opposition.
“We had a four-year plan that we did in three,” he said. “Now, we need another three-year plan. If you look at how I worked at Westfield and how the 49ers work, there are tactical issues and strategic issues.
“What Daniel was talking about was the strategic issue of the long-term plan, how we do it. We need to sit down and do it again because we got there a little early.”
Lowry also praised the structure now in place at Leeds, highlighting the work of key executives such as Morrie Eisenberg, Robbie Evans and Adam Underwood in helping stabilise the club after promotion.
“It’s magic,” he said. “This season was three years in the making. We bought the club, we put in the executives, we hired Daniel, he put himself there, we put in the finance guys, Morrie came, Robbie came, and Adam, we promoted up.
“We put everything in place, and it’s been a three-year project. We have budgets, we have goals, and Daniel was right the other day; we got there a year early. Thank goodness we got there a year early.”
Once Farke’s new contract situation is finalised – with TEAMtalk understanding he is in line for a significant pay rise on his current £57,000-a-week (£3m a year) deal – Leeds are expected to shift focus towards strengthening the squad.
Initial plans suggest the addition of four to five key signings, with defensive reinforcements high on the agenda.
First up may well be a new defender, with TEAMtalk confirming the Whites are very much keen to add a £26m-rated defender who is heading for the World Cup this summer.
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