“This is not FIFA”- Daniel Farke Breaks Silence amid his sack Rumor

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke finds himself under increasing scrutiny after a worrying run of poor results. Despite the mounting criticism, he appears determined to remain true to his footballing philosophy.

During the weekend defeat to Manchester City, Farke switched tactics at half-time as his side appeared headed for a heavy loss. The change sparked a much-improved second-half performance, even though Leeds still fell 3–2.

This has led supporters and pundits to debate whether Farke will adopt the 5-3-2 formation that proved effective at the Etihad or return to his preferred 4-3-3 setup when Chelsea visit Elland Road.

Farke responds to criticism over tactics

Critics have long accused the Leeds boss of being stubborn and unwilling to adapt. Speaking ahead of the Chelsea match, Farke firmly defended his approach.

He argued that formations alone do not guarantee results, stressing that football is not as simple as altering tactics like in video games.

“People speak as though a manager just makes a change and everything clicks,” Farke said in a press conference.
“We had a very good second half, but the praise belongs to the players, not me.

This isn’t FIFA — you can’t just switch formations and expect everything to work. You can have a plan, but execution on the pitch matters far more.
I’m pleased for the players, not myself.”

Farke added that he should not receive credit for the improved display, insisting that the team’s effort was the decisive factor.

Leeds boss faces a crucial moment

Farke’s position is becoming increasingly fragile, and a couple more poor results could spell the end of his tenure.

With patience wearing thin among the club’s hierarchy, Leeds’ next two home matches against Chelsea and Liverpool may determine his future.

The 5-3-2 system used against Manchester City could be beneficial, especially with winger Dan James ruled out for several months. Deploying two forwards on Wednesday could ease the pressure, while reverting to Brenden Aaronson — a move that frustrated fans earlier in the season — risks further backlash.

Supporters are already restless, having witnessed six defeats in their last seven matches. If Chelsea dominate at Elland Road, the atmosphere may quickly turn hostile.

Another heavy loss could be decisive, leaving Farke with little choice but to adapt if he hopes to keep his job and guide Leeds out of their current crisis.