Daniel Farke is set to sign a new contract with Leeds United until 2029 after reaching an agreement in principle with the club, according to The Athletic’s Beren Cross.
The formalities of the deal are still to be finalised before the German can put pen to paper, but there is understood to be broad agreement between both parties over the structure of the extension.
Farke’s current contract expires at the end of the 2026/27 season, so the proposed agreement would provide further clarity on the manager’s future as Leeds continue to establish themselves in the Premier League.
The development represents a significant show of faith from the Elland Road hierarchy in a manager who has overseen considerable progress since his appointment in July 2023, guiding the club through promotion from the Championship and a successful return to the top flight.
Leeds declined to comment when approached by The Athletic regarding the reported agreement.
Farke's future addressed after months of uncertainty
Questions surrounding Farke’s long-term future have followed the German throughout the early stages of the season, despite the positive results achieved by his side.
The 49-year-old has repeatedly played down the importance of his contract situation, instead pointing towards the security provided by his existing terms and suggesting that discussions could take place during the September international break.
Speaking in August, Farke said: “I wanted to speak in September about this topic, our next international break. I’m not thinking for one second about my contract.
“I am under contract and for a manager normally at Leeds United, if you can last three months you’re on a good path. I’m one of the longest-serving managers already for Leeds United in the last three decades.
“My contract expires in more than 10 months, so we have more than enough time.”
Those comments reflected Farke’s desire to keep the focus on performances on the pitch rather than negotiations behind the scenes.
However, with Leeds continuing to impress, the prospect of an extension has become an increasingly important subject for supporters.
Managing director Robbie Evans addressed the situation last month, confirming that discussions had been ongoing for several months and that the club wanted to secure Farke’s future as part of its wider long-term project.
“Daniel’s done a fantastic job here and we’re thrilled with the last couple of seasons,” Evans said. “We want to keep it going, keep building the long-term project. And so we were trying to find a solution with him long-term.
“As for the contract discussions themselves, Daniel and I, Daniel’s team and I, have had really good chats for the last three months and we’re all on the same page as far as what we want to accomplish: the long-term project. We simply haven’t got the deal done yet, but we’re working towards a solution.”
The reported agreement suggests those discussions have now reached a breakthrough, with the club moving closer to securing the manager’s services for another two seasons beyond his existing deal.
Reward for remarkable progress at Elland Road
Farke arrived at Leeds in July 2023 on a four-year contract, tasked with guiding the club back to the Premier League following relegation from the top flight.
His first season ended in disappointment as Leeds lost the Championship play-off final to Southampton in May 2024, leaving the club facing another campaign in the second tier.
However, the German responded by leading United to the Championship title the following season, with the Whites collecting 100 points to secure their return to the Premier League.
Questions remained over whether Farke would be the right man to lead Leeds back into the top flight, but his subsequent work has strengthened his position considerably.
Leeds finished 14th in the Premier League last season, securing their status with a strong end to the campaign.
Their form improved significantly from December onwards, with the club losing just five of their final 25 league matches.
Leeds have collected 45 points from 31 Premier League matches since December 1 last year, giving them the sixth-best record in the division across that period.
That form has continued into the current campaign, with Leeds sitting seventh after their opening six matches and having suffered just one defeat, against reigning champions Arsenal.
The proposed extension would therefore represent a reward for Farke’s work in establishing Leeds as a competitive Premier League side after successfully navigating the challenges of promotion and top-flight survival.
What does the new contract mean for Leeds United?
The agreement in principle will come as welcome news to Leeds supporters, particularly after the club spent the summer strengthening its squad and securing the futures of several key players.
Joe Rodon, Ethan Ampadu, Jayden Bogle and Brenden Aaronson have all signed new contracts, underlining the board’s intention to build a stable foundation for the coming seasons.
Farke’s future had remained a notable unresolved issue following the conclusion of the transfer window, with the manager approaching the final year of his existing agreement.
Although there was no immediate danger of him leaving, uncertainty over his long-term position would inevitably have raised questions about the club’s direction should negotiations have continued without a resolution.
A contract until 2029 would provide greater stability for both the manager and the club, allowing them to continue developing the project without the distraction of an increasingly prominent contract situation.
It would also represent a clear endorsement of the German’s methods and the progress made under his leadership, particularly given the scrutiny he faced following the play-off final defeat in 2024.
For Leeds, the timing is significant. With the team making an encouraging start to the new Premier League season, securing an agreement with Farke would remove one of the major outstanding questions surrounding the club’s longer-term plans.
The manager has already demonstrated his ability to deliver promotion, navigate the pressures of a Championship title challenge and establish Leeds in the Premier League.
The next objective will be to build on that foundation and ensure the club continues to progress.
While the deal is not yet formally signed, the reported agreement represents a major step towards achieving that stability.
Farke’s immediate attention, however, will remain on the pitch, with Leeds preparing for one of their biggest fixtures of the season as Manchester United visit Elland Road on Sunday.
With his future seemingly moving closer to resolution, the German could soon have the long-term backing of the board formally confirmed as he looks to lead Leeds into the next stage of their Premier League journey.