Next Leeds United Manager: Contenders to replace Daniel Farke

We take a look at the potential candidates to be the next Leeds United manager following Daniel Farke's comments that the club needs to match his ambition this summer.

Farke guided Leeds back to the Premier League last season and he secured the club's survival with three games of the 2025/26 campaign to spare.

The 49-year-old is ambitious to take the club to the next level and his admission that he is "not the right choice if it's about maintaining the status quo" will have surprised the hierarchy at Elland Road.

It is a risky strategy from Farke given that he was under pressure earlier in the season but he will be hopeful that his gamble will pay off in the form of a handsome transfer budget this summer.

Here are our top five contenders to be the next Leeds manager in the event that there is a change at the end of the season.

Next Leeds Manager Contenders

Marco Silva

There is still no sign of Marco Silva's contractual situation at Fulham being resolved as the season winds down.

The longer the situation continues, the more it like Silva could leave Craven Cottage this summer.

Silva has done an excellent job in London and Leeds would surely jump at the chance to hire a manager with considerable Premier League experience.

Marcelo Bielsa

The 70-year old remains a legend at Elland Road after leading the club back into the Premier League after a 16-year absence in 2020.

His style of football and unique personality endeared him to Leeds supporters and he would be welcomed back with open arms.

Bielsa is currently planning for the World Cup with Uruguay but he could well be available after the tournament.

Thomas Frank

After being sacked by Tottenham Hotspur in February after just eight months in charge, Thomas Frank will want to prove a few people wrong.

Despite his ill-fated spell in North London, Frank remains an attractive proposition for Premier League owners following his seven-year stint as Brentford manager.

Any change in the dugout at Elland Road would no doubt have some supporters stating Frank's case for a return to management.

Roger Schmidt

If Leeds want to hire a manager with experience of European football, they could do a lot worse than to opt for experienced German manager Roger Schmidt.

He is currently working as an advisor for the J-League but he has been linked with a number of positions throughout Europe in recent times.

Schmidt has previously managed Bayer Leverkusen, PSV and Benfica, but he has not returned to management since leaving Portugal in 2024.

Marcelino Toral

Marcelino Toral will leave La Liga outfit Villarreal at the end of the season after guiding the club back into the UEFA Champions League.

A number of clubs across Europe will be on alert following the news of his imminent departure and he has been strongly linked with a move to Crystal Palace.

Marcelino has experience of managing in European competitions and a move to the Premier League could appeal.