Leeds vs Newcastle: Daniel Farke sets out blueprint for success after unbeaten Premier League start
In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports, Daniel Farke explains his desire to take Leeds to new heights and reestablish his side as a Premier League staple; watch Leeds vs Newcastle live on Sky Sports Football on Monday; kick-off 8pm
Monday 14 September 2026 16:23, UK
Monday Night Football marks the first managerial meeting between Daniel Farke and Matthias Jaissle, two of four German managers currently operating in the Premier League. Both have enjoyed unbeaten starts to this season.
From the early knockings, it's clear Farke is sticking with his tried and tested formula. A way of working that brought Leeds 47 points and had them in the comfort of safety by April last season.
"It's important to use momentum in the right way," he tells Sky Sports from Leeds' training base. "We needed to freshen blood after a successful season but it's about evolution not revolution". The blueprint is similar with subtle changes: Carry all the good things from the last campaign into this one but do so with added tactical variety.
He wants to keep Newcastle, or any opponent for that matter, guessing before, during and after the game. That is part of the reason why no player in Farke's squad is deemed undroppable. Not even his captain. When pushed on that topic, he says: "It's realistic. You always have to deliver in the best league in the world.
- Leeds fixtures & scores | FREE Leeds highlights▶️
- Got Sky? Watch Premier League games LIVE on your phone📱
- Not got Sky? Latest Sky Sports deals or stream PL games with no contract📺
"If you think at any time 'I don't have to do the basics, I'm a superstar' then you are not good enough any more. I'm a big believer in you get what you are willing to invest.
"But if you know yourself to be doing one step less, or working with just 98 per cent, you are not good enough. The culture is more important than any individual. Of course we have outstanding individuals, they have good chances to play every week, but every player has to show the best of themselves every day."
The culture that Farke speaks of is geared toward establishing Leeds as a Premier League mainstay. "We're not addicted to one point per game," he emphasises, another distinction between last season and this. A point-per-game average used to be the yardstick by which Farke measured survival. They are more than just survivors now.
Adaptability is his new watchword. That might mean Leeds fall on the wrong side of certain results while trying to push for more wins, but the risk will be managed. Some demons have already been exorcised away at Nottingham Forest and Brighton, grounds they lost heavily at last year. "We're working on being less predictable. It can be fun, too.
"The DNA has not changed. We want to develop as a team, playing on the front foot with an offensive mind, even against the better teams. The work has been on our tactical flexibility. Now we can change the base formation, so we're not easy to predict."
Farke implemented a tactical tweak that altered the course of last season, switching from a back four to a back three. Extrinsically, it's a shift that was spoken about as a turning point. It followed a groundswell of pressure and unrest around Farke's position. Leeds responded by beating Chelsea and drawing with Liverpool, amid a run that landed them comfortably 14th.
The success of that streak drew praise from Jamie Carragher on Monday Night Football back in May: "I feel like I'm watching an established Premier League team."
Taking greater control in games was another reason for the system switch. "We are preparing a structure in possession for a moment if we lose the ball. The better we are in possession the easier it is to be spot on against the ball, to control the moments the opponent are dangerous.
"We want to have a good structure and be solid in possession." Summer additions James Trafford and Tarik Muharemovic have aided solidity immensely. The aura of confidence radiates from them throughout the spine of the team.
He adds: "The heart of our game has to be control, being stable is very important. It's up to this group to prove we are in a better position than last season, after three games I'm not willing to judge it. It's too early to sing high praises, but we've delivered some quality work in the last month. We have to ride with this moment."
Farke has earned the right to enter games with the aim of being the dominant force. Leeds have only lost one of their last 12 league outings since mid-March. And they thrive at Elland Road. He wants to see a "return to clinical behaviour" against Newcastle, after squandering chances to win at Brighton last week. But no doubt Leeds are harder to beat.
The level has been raised. "In the last 25 years, this club has never managed to play two solid Premier League seasons in a row. I want to do that," he concludes. Early days, but Leeds currently find themselves 11th.
"We are not praying for one point per game. We concentrate on the contents. One day to talk about Europe, to reestablish 'the good old times', would be nice. But we cannot take it for granted. I will make sure we are doing steps in the right direction and then, one day, we will speak about other goals.
"To win the Premier League? I would never say no. But I'm not addicted to the table. I'm addicted to performances and results. That is how it should look."
Watch Leeds vs Newcastle live on Sky Sports Football on Monday evening from 6.30pm; kick-off 8pm
