Monday Night Football provided the first head‑to‑head meeting between Daniel Farke and Matthias Jaissle, two of the four German coaches currently plying their trade in the Premier League. Both have begun the campaign with unbeaten records, setting a promising tone for their respective sides. From the outset, Farke has signalled that he will stick to the core principles that earned Leeds United 47 points last season and secured their safety by April.
"We have to use momentum wisely," he told Sky Sports from the club's training base. "After a successful campaign we needed to inject fresh ideas, but it is about evolution, not revolution." The overarching blueprint remains the same, with subtle adjustments designed to retain the positives of the previous year while adding new tactical dimensions. A key element of Farke's approach is to keep every opponent – Newcastle, Manchester United or any other side – guessing before, during and after the final whistle. This is why he has made it clear that no player in his squad is untouchable, not even the captain.
When pressed on this stance, he explained: "In the world's toughest league you must always deliver. If you ever think you can skip the basics because you are a superstar, you are no longer good enough. I firmly believe you get back what you put in.
If you are operating at 98 per cent, you are not meeting the standard. The culture we are building matters more than any individual. We have outstanding talent, and they will get regular chances, but every player must show his best every day." The culture Farke is cultivating is aimed at cementing Leeds as a permanent Premier League presence.
"We are not obsessed with a point‑per‑game average," he emphasised, drawing a clear line between last season’s survival metric and this season’s ambition. The new mantra is adaptability. While this may occasionally lead to a loss as the team experiments with more aggressive tactics, the intention is to manage risk while chasing additional victories.
Early signs of progress are evident: heavy defeats at Nottingham Forest and Brighton last year have been replaced by more competitive performances, and the side is already less predictable, which Farke admits can also be entertaining. "The DNA of the club hasn't changed. We want to develop as a team that attacks proactively, even against stronger opponents.
Our focus this summer has been on tactical flexibility. We can now shift our base formation, making us harder to read," he said.
One of the most visible tactical shifts was the move from a traditional back four to a back three, a change that many commentators described as a turning point. The switch came amid growing pressure on Farke and a wave of unrest among supporters.
The new system yielded immediate dividends, with Leeds beating Chelsea and drawing with Liverpool, propelling the team to a comfortable 14th‑place finish. Jamie Carragher praised the side on Monday Night Football in May, noting, "It feels like I'm watching an established Premier League team." The back‑three formation also gives Leeds greater control when they lose possession. "We are building a structure that allows us to be compact in possession, making it easier to transition quickly when the ball is recovered. The better we are on the ball, the more we can dictate the moments when the opponent becomes dangerous," Farke explained.
Summer signings James Trafford and Tarik Muharemovic have added stability to the spine of the side, and their confidence radiates throughout the squad. "Control is at the heart of our game.
Stability is crucial, and it is up to this group to prove we are a step ahead of last season. After three games it is too early for lofty verdicts, but we have produced quality work over the past month. We must ride this momentum," he added. Farke now feels empowered to enter matches with the intention of being the dominant side.
Since mid‑March Leeds have lost only one of their last twelve league outings, and they remain formidable at Elland Road. He wants to see a "return to clinical finishing" against Newcastle after missed opportunities at Brighton, and he believes the team is now harder to beat.
Looking ahead, Farke has set a historic target. "In the last 25 years this club has never managed two solid Premier League seasons consecutively.
I want to change that," he declared, noting that Leeds currently sit 11th in the table. "We are not fixated on a single point per game. We focus on the quality of our performances.
One day talking about European football and reviving the 'good old times' would be wonderful, but we cannot take that for granted. I will ensure we move in the right direction, and eventually we will discuss other ambitions." When asked about the ultimate goal, he smiled: "Winning the Premier League? I would never say no, but I am not addicted to the table.
I am addicted to performances and results. That is how it should be." Leeds' clash with Newcastle will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Football on Monday evening, with kick‑off at 8 pm. Fans can also enter the Super 6 competition for a chance to win £1 million, entry being free of charge.