This season is not yet over, but with our objective already achieved, Daniel Farke was already looking forward to the 2026/7 campaign in his press conference before tomorrow’s game with Brighton and Hove Albion.

Our manager paid tribute to his predecessor Marcello Bielsa and his first season back in the Premier League, but noted that we then went backwards after that ninth place finish, and urged the clubs owners not to repeat the mistake of failing to build on that season by not finding the players to adequately improve the squad.

Clearly Farke isn’t going to be content with simply avoiding relegation year after year, and is presumably looking to move us forward each season. Next season he might be looking at a comfortable mid-table position at the very least, with another cup run or two for some extra excitement.

Back in late November it’s quite possible that the 49ers were preparing to pay out the cost of making a change and paying out the rest of Farke’s contract, but a form table from the start of December onwards would show us in seventh place. And that’s despite a run of difficult fixtures at the start of that period.

Having confirmed another Premier League season with two games to spare and delivered both an FA Cup semi-final and that famous win at Old Trafford, Farke is now in a much stronger position. And judging by his comments, the challenge for the owners will now be to keep hold of the manager, as there are likely to be other clubs interested in his services.

Farke said “Once I signed the contract three years ago, we spoke about the goals, what we want to achieve and, I have to say, my mission is fulfilled and my job is done here. There’s nothing to add anymore. We spoke about four years, but after three years, all the boxes are ticked. Right now, it’s important we sit together in a trustful atmosphere and speak about new goals because this period is done right now”.

“We have to speak about the way we want to achieve them, we have to speak about the processes and this is quite important. The club has to decide where we want to be in a few years’ time. What are the new goals? How are the processes? How do we want to achieve it? It’s important you’re on the same page because I don’t decide for the club.”

“We have to speak about what we will do, what the new goals are, what the new ways are, can we keep our best players, can we improve the squad, can we bring players in who make us better? So far, this club wanted me to run the sport and wanted me to be there with the final decision in everything. Perhaps they have other thoughts in the process in going forward. Perhaps not”.

“We have to speak about it, but one thing is also for sure, I will just lead the project when I’m in charge and I overtake the decisions, like I’ve done in recent years.” Farke still has one year remaining on his current contract, but it’s highly likely that the owners will be intending to start negotiations on renewing his deal.

There has been a bit of disquiet on social media about exactly what has prompted Farke to speak out in this manner at this stage, but hopefully there isn’t too much to worry about. One issue seems to be control, but the club have allowed Farke to have the final say in player recruitment ever since he was appointed and insisted his job title was going to be ‘Manager’ rather than ‘Head Coach’.

There hasn’t yet been aby suggestion that is likely to change. And I doubt that the 49ers are the kind of owners who would be happy with mere survival any more than the manager is. They have always been to keen to back him in the transfer market as much as the regulations allow, and they should have more leeway next season when PSR is replaced by a new measure based on income from football activities.

With the size of our fanbase and the redevelopment of Elland Road over the next few years we should be well placed to sign the players we need to move into the top half of the Premier League, so if the manager and the board are indeed on the same page and Farke’s comments aren’t a sign of any disagreement behind the scenes, there should be exciting times ahead.

Reuters