Daniel Farke’s two-and-a-half-year spell at Leeds United has produced plenty of positives worth celebrating. Not only did the team record their highest-ever points total in a single season, but Farke also guided the club back into the Premier League — a major achievement in itself. While the record might appear slightly inflated due to Leeds having 46 league games last season, it remains a milestone moment as the club hit the 100-point mark for the first time in history.
Beyond results, Farke’s work in the transfer market has arguably been his greatest success. Before the 2025 summer window, he had already strengthened the squad with key additions like Jayden Bogle, Ethan Ampadu, Ao Tanaka, and Joe Rodon. This past summer, his recruitment strategy continued to pay off. The gamble on Dominic Calvert-Lewin is yielding dividends, Noah Okafor has found the net twice in four starts, and the £10 million spent on Gabriel Gudmundsson now looks inspired. Anton Stach is also emerging as a crucial figure in the team’s setup.
Among the standout signings, Sean Longstaff’s arrival from Newcastle United has proven to be one of Farke’s smartest moves. It took Leeds four separate bids before Newcastle finally accepted an offer, but their persistence is now paying off. Longstaff has started Leeds’ last five Premier League matches, earning man-of-the-match awards against both Newcastle and Bournemouth. He even came close to scoring an equaliser against Tottenham. His growing influence hasn’t gone unnoticed — teammate Anton Stach recently praised his leadership qualities, evident when Longstaff rallied the players into a huddle after Joe Rodon’s goal against Bournemouth.
Back in the summer, The Athletic had ranked Longstaff just 94th among all new Premier League signings. However, in a recent reassessment that evaluated the impact of 155 summer transfers, the publication placed him fifth overall — an incredible rise of 89 places. It’s a testament to how quickly Longstaff has become an integral part of Farke’s rejuvenated Leeds United side.
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