Daniel Farke - The Tactical Issue

Daniel Farke’s tactical approach at Leeds United has begun to raise serious questions during the 2024/2025 season. The defeat to Burnley, a 1-0 loss at home, highlights a pattern of issues that have hampered the team’s ability to consistently challenge in the Championship. Farke’s possession-heavy style, which brought him success at Norwich City, has not had the same impact at Leeds. While the team often dominates possession, as they did against Burnley, their inability to turn control into clear-cut chances has left them struggling to convert that possession into points.

At the heart of Farke’s tactical struggles is his insistence on a slow, methodical build-up. Leeds frequently spend long spells with the ball, but without enough penetration in the final third. Against teams like Burnley, who are content to sit back and defend deep, Leeds have found it difficult to break through compact defensive lines. This lack of incision and urgency often results in Leeds passing sideways or backwards, maintaining possession but not creating dangerous opportunities. The team’s build-up play is frequently too predictable, allowing opponents to nullify their attacks with relative ease.

Another major tactical flaw under Farke has been Leeds’ defensive organisation. Despite dominating possession, Leeds often appear vulnerable at the back, especially on the counter-attack. In yesterday’s game against Burnley, this weakness was once again exposed. A sloppy error from Manor Solomon led to Burnley’s goal, with Luca Koleosho capitalising on the mistake and scoring with minimal resistance from the Leeds defence. Defensive lapses like this have become a recurring theme throughout the season, highlighting a lack of cohesion and discipline at the back.

Farke’s preference for a high defensive line has often left Leeds exposed to quick counters, with opponents exploiting the space behind the defenders. Both Pascal Struijk and Joe Rodon, while competent defenders, have struggled to cope with this approach. The lack of a consistent defensive shape has also seen Leeds concede soft goals, and this vulnerability has been exacerbated by a lack of pressure on the ball in key areas. The team’s inability to press effectively or recover possession high up the pitch leaves them vulnerable when transitions occur.

The team’s midfield has also struggled to find the right balance under Farke. His possession-based tactics rely heavily on midfielders to control the tempo of the game and recycle the ball effectively. Players like Ilia Gruev and Ethan Ampadu have been tasked with breaking up play and initiating attacks, but they often find themselves bypassed or overwhelmed when Leeds lose the ball. Ampadu, for instance, has been one of the more consistent performers, but he lacks the support needed to maintain defensive stability and also contribute to attacking transitions.

Farke’s reluctance to make early or impactful substitutions has further compounded Leeds’ problems. In yesterday’s game, he waited until the 68th minute to make changes, long after Burnley had taken control of the match. His conservative approach to substitutions has drawn criticism from fans and pundits alike, who believe that a more proactive manager could better respond to the flow of the game. This late reaction often leaves Leeds chasing games or unable to alter the course of the match when things are not going their way.

Moreover, Farke’s tactical rigidity has limited the potential of some of Leeds’ key attacking players. Wilfried Gnonto, a dynamic and skillful winger, often finds himself isolated on the flanks, unable to make the impact expected of him. Similarly, Brenden Aaronson has been unable to thrive in a system that does not fully utilise his ability to press and play at a high tempo. In the Burnley game, Leeds were limited to half-chances, with Gnonto and Aaronson showing flashes of brilliance but ultimately unable to break down a solid Burnley defence.

The result is a Leeds team that often controls possession without the cutting edge needed to win matches. With Leeds languishing in the Championship table, pressure is mounting on Farke to find solutions quickly. His tactics, while theoretically sound, are not delivering the necessary results, and the weaknesses in both attack and defence are becoming glaringly obvious.

The Burnley defeat underlined the broader tactical problems facing Farke at Leeds. His slow, methodical approach is struggling to adapt to the realities of Championship football, where teams are happy to sit back and hit on the break. Without more flexibility in his tactical approach, Leeds may continue to struggle, and questions will only grow about whether Farke is the right man to lead the club back to the Premier League.

The 2024/2025 season is proving to be a crucial one for Farke, and unless he can address these tactical shortcomings, Leeds United could find themselves falling short of their promotion ambitions. Whether through a change in system or personnel, something must shift for Leeds to find the consistency they so desperately need.