Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has overseen a dramatic upturn in form, transforming the side into an unbeaten Premier League team with a flexible, hard-to-predict tactical approach as they prepare to host Newcastle United at Elland Road. The turnaround, which began after a heavy losing run last October and November, has strengthened Farke's negotiating position as he discusses extending a contract with less than a year left to run, with the club's managing director confirming they want him to stay long term.

The pivotal moment came on 29 November during a 3-2 defeat at Manchester City, when Farke's half-time switch to a back three and the introduction of Dominic Calvert-Lewin sparked a revival; Leeds have since lost only five of 28 league games and reached an FA Cup semi-final. Since then the club has continued its upward trajectory, bolstered by the club-record £40m signing of England goalkeeper James Trafford from Manchester City, an ongoing stadium expansion from around 38,000 to 53,000 capacity, and a squad ethos built around Farke's strict recruitment standards and captain Ethan Ampadu's leadership.