“Nothing to do with reality” – Farke says Leeds United fans are the best, but expectations wildly unrealistic

Daniel Farke has hailed Leeds United’s supporters as the best in the Premier League, but believes expectations can sometimes get carried away.

Sky Deutschland have spoken to the Whites manager about several topics, including Leeds United fans.

The 49-year-old arrived at Elland Road in July 2023 when they were in the Championship. Last season, he helped Leeds United win the title and secure direct promotion to the Premier League.

Farke has managed over 100 matches for the English club, so knows it very well. Speaking to the German media, he told those listening to try and experience a match live at Elland Road.

“With our fans, who are simply the most emotional and extraordinary, and in my opinion, truly the best in the entire league,” he said.

“I would recommend that everyone, if they have the chance, experience a game like this live at Elland Road. It’s simply an event, incomparable to anything else. It can truly be a fortress,” he said.

“But that, of course, always comes with pressure and high expectations. Here, after every loss, the world ends. At the Championship level, it was after every away draw: you have to change everything, change the manager, bring in new players. And everything is bad, and we get relegated all the way down to the fourth division. That’s just how this club is.”

Last month, Farke told the German media that Leeds United fans are demanding the club return to Europe.

Sky Deutschland asked him about expectations at a ‘traditional club’ like Leeds United. When responding to that, the Whites boss insinuated that at times the demands are wildly unrealistic.

“The club has an incredible history in England, having won the English championship and played in the European Cup. However, the truth is that in the last 25 years, we’ve only spent three seasons in the Premier League,” he said.

“We’re not currently an established Premier League team. But, similar to traditional clubs in Germany, the expectation is that if we’re playing in the Premier League, we need to win a title and want to play in Europe. That, of course, has nothing to do with reality. It’s about striking that balance, especially in this environment.”

Leeds United are currently 16th in the table, seven points behind fifth placed Tottenham Hotspur.