DANIEL FARKE'S FATE SEALED? LEEDS EYES RODGERS, POSTECOGLOU
Leeds United is in a Premier League crisis. With Farke under pressure, will they replace him? We analyse the candidates: Postecoglou & Rodgers. Get the latest.
Leeds is in a tough spot in the Premier League, sitting 18th after losing seven of twelve games. There's a lot of uncertainty around Daniel Farke's position. It's especially noticeable since he led Leeds to promotion with 100 points—a season fans won't forget. But the doubts people had before the season started haven't gone away. The stats aren't good. TalkSport points out that he has the worst points-per-game record of any manager with over 50 Premier League games, at just 0.61. One senior person at Leeds said, The club can't promise anything right now. Results will decide what happens.
Possible Replacements in the Wings
Of course, names are being mentioned, and two are getting the most attention. Ange Postecoglou, despite his short, 39-day stay with Nottingham Forest, is still well-regarded within the club. His brief time there doesn't seem to have hurt his reputation, though taking a third job in five months raises a big question for him and Leeds. One source said, His style of play is attacking, and his attitude fits the Leeds fans, but the timing is tricky.
Rodgers Monitoring the Situation
Then there's Brendan Rodgers, who recently left Celtic for the second time. TalkSport says he's interested in returning to the Premier League. The drama around his exit from Celtic, including the angry statement from Dermot Desmond calling his actions divisive, misleading, and self-serving, makes things even more interesting. The fact that Leeds is owned by 49ers Enterprises, who also own a big stake in Rangers, adds another layer to the situation.
Tough Games Ahead
The pressure is on with upcoming games against Manchester City, Chelsea, and Liverpool. These games will need great planning and clear leadership. Leeds needs to decide if sticking with what they have or making a change is the best way to get through this difficult period.
Our Perspective
People really appreciate what Daniel Farke did in the Championship. It was a season that fans will talk about for years. But the Premier League is a different beast. Fans have seen leads disappear, confidence drop, and familiar problems show up again. Many will say, You can't ignore the numbers. Something has to change.
The names being discussed bring up mixed feelings. Ange Postecoglou plays exciting football, and Leeds fans would like a manager who wants to attack. But his recent, short stint at Forest makes people wonder. A 39-day job doesn't build trust. Leeds fans have dealt with too much instability and might worry about another risky, short-term choice.
Rodgers, on the other hand, is seen as an interesting option. He's known for creating structure and identity, but his exit from Celtic brings up questions about his long-term commitment. Some will remember how his Leicester team fell apart before being relegated, making them wonder if he's the right person for a relegation battle.
The ownership situation adds more emotional weight. Leeds fans won't want their club involved in the politics of Rangers and Celtic, and hiring a manager who left Celtic on bad terms could create unnecessary drama.
What most fans want is clarity, a clear decision, a sense of direction, and a manager who truly believes in hard work and unity. Leeds can survive this season, but only if there's strong conviction from the owners down to the coach. More than anything, the fans want stability.
HOW JAMES MADDISON’S INDIVIDUAL TRAINING SIGNALS A SHOCK SEASON RETURN
James Maddison returns to individual training as Igor Tudor prepares Tottenham for a vital relegation battle with Forest.
Ahead of Tottenham’s match against Nottingham Forest, manager Igor Tudor gave an update on when James Maddison might return from injury. It’s a crucial moment for Spurs as they prepare to host Forest in what could be the defining 90 minutes of Tudor’s time at the club and quite possibly a key fixture that will shape the season for both teams.
Currently separated by just one point, Tottenham and Forest are locked in a battle against relegation. A win would push Spurs four points clear of the drop zone, while a loss might drag them into the bottom three. The stakes couldn’t be clearer.
Tudor’s side heads into this game with renewed energy, surprisingly positive given the mood just two weeks ago. The draw at Anfield broke a six-game losing streak, and their recent 3-2 victory over Atlético Madrid, though not enough to overturn the aggregate score, brought back a sense of belief. Young players like Xavi Simons and Archie Gray impressed, while Mathys Tel kept the opposition on their toes. The atmosphere at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was electric in a way fans haven’t felt for months. While the Champions League hopes are dashed, that performance has injected valuable momentum into Spurs’ survival fight.
There’s also some hopeful news on the injury front. Dominic Solanke, who missed the Atlético leg with a hip issue, might be available. His physical presence adds a different dimension to Tottenham’s attack, which Tudor will surely be glad to have.
But the most promising update came from Tudor’s comments about Maddison. The creative midfielder, sidelined since August after rupturing his ACL in a preseason friendly, has begun some individual training, spotted alongside Palhinha. Recoveries from ACL injuries are never straightforward, and the team won’t rush him back. With only seven league games left after Sunday, there’s a narrow window for his return. Still, even the possibility of Maddison getting back on the pitch—someone who can change a game with a moment of skill or a precise pass—offers a much-needed morale boost.
For now, though, the focus remains firmly on Forest.
WHY BORUSSIA DORTMUND EXPECT JADON SANCHO TO SIGN FOR FREE
Unai Emery praises Jadon Sancho despite poor stats, while Dortmund free up £21m in wages to lure him back to Germany.
Borussia Dortmund really want Jadon Sancho back, and they’re hoping to get him for free from Manchester United. Sancho’s contract runs out this summer, and honestly, no one expects United to offer him a new one.
Right now, Sancho’s on loan at Aston Villa. It’s his third spell away from Old Trafford since United signed him for £73 million in 2021. His move to Villa was just a loan with no option to buy.
Villa’s manager, Unai Emery, has hinted he might keep Sancho, but Dortmund aren’t sitting around. The Times says Dortmund didn’t chase wingers last summer because Nico Kovac liked the 3-4-2-1 formation, but now the boss has changed his mind and wants Sancho back.
If Sancho comes back, he'll need to take a hefty pay cut from his £300,000-a-week salary. Still, Dortmund’s where he made his name after moving from Manchester City in 2017.
Dortmund have room in the budget this summer; they let the contracts of Julian Brandt, Niklas Süle, and Salih Özcan run out. That saves them about £21 million a year, and they’re optimistic they can lure Sancho, who’s allowed to strike pre-contract deals with foreign clubs.
Sancho actually spent half of the 2024 season back at Dortmund after Erik ten Hag froze him out at United. He helped them reach the Champions League final, but nothing permanent came of it.
Something similar happened during his loan to Chelsea last season. The club even paid a £5 million penalty just to avoid having to sign him outright. Villa picked him up right at the transfer deadline in September, but, once again, he’s struggled.
So far, Sancho’s got one goal and one assist in 29 games across all competitions. Still, Emery thinks there’s more to come.
When asked in February about signing Sancho for good, Emery said, “Not yet, but he’s a fantastic player. Hopefully, he can help us by improving within our system, like he is doing.
“He’ll need a new contract; maybe it’s here. If he plays his best football, we’ll want him. But other teams will be interested, too.”
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