Don Goodman has predicted that Leeds United will gain promotion next season on one condition – they keep Daniel Farke.
The Whites narrowly missed out on an immediate return to the top flight after losing the play-off final 1-0 to Southampton.
Adam Armstrong’s first half strike proved enough to separate the two sides, with Russell Martin’s team going straight back to the Premier League at the first attempt.
The Yorkshire outfit will now be planning for another campaign in the second tier, with their sights firmly set on a top two spot.
Farke oversaw a third place finish where his team earned a massive 90 points.
Don Goodman makes Leeds United promotion prediction
Goodman believes that Leeds are well-placed to be in the race for a top two spot next year, claiming it will be a less competitive division than in 2023/24.
He has predicted that the Whites will finish inside the top two as long as they stick with Farke for another year, amid some fan sentiment that he should be sacked.
“I don’t understand [the speculation over Farke’s future], although I haven’t watched Leeds across all 46 games,” said Goodman, via Leeds MOT.
“I’ve watched them in games in which they’ve showed their potential, and I’ve seen them in games – particularly towards the end of the season – where without question they’ve been effected by the emotional pressure that comes with getting over the line.
“Ninety points is an exceptional return – the most alongside Sunderland in 1997-98 not to get automatically promoted.
“I don’t think the league next season will be as strong, and that gives Leeds a genuine opportunity.
“I think they’ll be in the top two if they stick with Daniel Farke.”
Daniel Farke’s Leeds United record
Farke was appointed by Leeds last summer following the club’s relegation from the Premier League.
He was tasked with bringing the team back to the top flight, which he was unable to do in his first year in charge.
It has been reported that his position in the dugout is not in serious doubt, with the players and board both behind him at this stage.
Farke will be hoping to keep his top stars during the summer market while also making a few additions of his own.
However, the likes of Crysencio Summerville and Archie Gray are both attracting interest already, which will be an unwanted distraction.
Keeping hold of those two could also be key to a promotion push next season, as would replacing them if they do move on.
Continuity with Farke makes sense for Leeds
While Farke wasn’t quite able to get the team over the line in terms of promotion, he still did enough to warrant keeping him on as manager.
His side played good football, had the fans on his side, and came incredibly close to both automatic promotion and a play-off win.
To reach 90 points and come third shows how competitive the division was this year, and a slow start ultimately proved the stumbling block that cost them.
If they had made a similar start to Leicester City and Ipswich Town, then they could’ve afforded a few defeats at the end of the campaign wouldn’t have been so costly.
