Leeds United: Decision made on Daniel Farke's future as Paraag Marathe speaks out | OneFootball

Leeds United chairman Paraag Marathe has confirmed whether Daniel Farke will manage the club in the Premier League next season.

Leeds United chairman Paraag Marathe has confirmed that manager Daniel Farke will remain in charge of the club in the Premier League next season.

Leeds sealed promotion back to the top flight following a two-year absence on Easter Monday, but just a few days later, shock speculation emerged about Farke's future at Elland Road.

Daily Mail journalist Mike Keegan claimed that the Whites were weighing up whether to part company with Farke this summer despite promotion, with the board thought to have had concerns over his poor record in the Premier League during his time at Norwich City.

The Guardian even reported that Leeds had identified possible replacements for Farke, with Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Roger Schmidt and Davide Ancelotti all said to have been in the frame if the club decided to make a managerial change.

However, rumours about his possible sacking did not seem to affect Farke, and his side secured the Championship title and reached the 100-point mark with a 2-1 victory over Plymouth Argyle at Home Park on the final day of the season on Saturday, with Manor Solomon's 91st-minute winner sparking wild scenes of celebration in the away end.

Paraag Marathe opens up on Daniel Farke's Leeds United future

Some Leeds supporters suggested that Farke's somewhat muted celebrations after the win at Plymouth on Saturday were an indication that his exit could be on the cards, but 24 hours after the club's title success, Marathe has broken his silence to confirm that the German will remain in charge at Elland Road next season.

"I do have something to say and, and you know, I am someone who will speak when I have something to say and when I feel like it's the right time for me," Marathe said, quoted by the Yorkshire Evening Post.

"I'm not one to respond because some random gossip paper wants to say something. I'm not going to make comments based on rumours and gossip. But now, today is that day.

"I was waiting for the season to conclude. I wanted to win a trophy, just like Daniel did, just like the players did, just like all the staff did, and we got that goal.

"My plan was always to come and speak to you all right after the season concluded, and so that time is now, and I want to tell you all that I'm very excited to run it back with Daniel.

"I'm really excited about collaborating with Daniel, with Robbie Evans, who we promoted to managing director, with Adam Underwood, who we promoted to sporting director, and together, we are going to build the best squad that we can with every penny that we're allowed to spend to go and compete in the Premier League."

Marathe confirmed that he and Farke recently held talks, in which the 48-year-old was informed his position is secure, and the chairman praised his manager for his role in the Whites' promotion success.

"He is such a calming force. You know, presence would be an understatement if I say calming presence, he's just a calming force for supporters, for players, for the club," Marathe said.

"He really has a superpower that way. He told you all he was 100 per cent confident that we're going to the Prem, and he believed it. I love him for it. He has that conviction and belief.

"We continue to stay in touch all the time. I did tell him privately that I'm looking forward to moving forward together, and I just didn't feel like it was my time to speak just because someone wanted to put out a rumour or whatever. It wasn't my place in time to speak at that point. But I did talk to him privately."

Daniel Farke deserves Paraag Marathe, Leeds United backing

It is understandable that some members of the Leeds board had reservations about Farke's ability to manage in the Premier League, but he was given virtually no money to spend at Norwich, and it was always going to be a tough task for him to keep them in the division.

Farke has achieved exactly what was asked of him when he took over at Elland Road, and after delivering the Championship title and a 100-point season, during which his side scored an impressive 95 goals, he would have been incredibly unfortunate to lose his job.

It has become clear in recent games that Farke has the full backing of Whites supporters, and with Marathe confirming that the club intend to spend this summer, he will now have the chance to show exactly what he is capable of in the top flight.