'He's a Championship manager' - Leeds United urged to sack Daniel Farke and replace him with Jose Mourinho to boost Premier League survival hopes

Former Liverpool and Leeds left-back Stephen Warnock believes Farke could leave the recently crowned Championship winners before they begin life in the Premier League in August. Despite Leeds chairman, Paraag Marathe of the 49ers Enterprises, ending speculation that the German could be dismissed by saying "he is my man", Warnock feels they need a safer pair of hands in the top-flight.

He told Gambling Industry News: “I still think Daniel Farke could leave Leeds before the Premier League, because in my opinion he’s a Championship manager. I understand why it could happen and if I were the Leeds owners, I would probably make the same decision as well – he’s not a Premier League manager for me. If the owners do replace him, then they need to go with someone who’s experienced and knows the league. Leeds fans probably won’t like me saying this, but I’d possibly be looking at the likes of Jose Mourinho. He’s not going to win them the league, but he’s knows enough about the league to keep them there. I think he’d be a good candidate to do that.”

Fenerbahce boss Mourinho did admit he would like to return to the Premier League and manage a club "at the bottom", it seems Leeds are intent on keeping Farke at the helm for now. While his record at Norwich City in the Premier League makes for grim reading, Marathe previously said Farke wasn't given the financial backing required to compete at that level but that won't be the case this time round. Regardless, it will be a huge task to stay in the top division, especially after seeing all three promoted teams go straight back down for two straight seasons.

All eyes will now be on which players Leeds sign in the coming months and how much Farke is backed in the transfer market as they prepare for life in the Premier League again after two years away.