‘I’ll never be able to repay him’… Leeds United favourite says Daniel Farke ‘saved my career
Daniel Farke has won over the hearts of just about every Leeds United supporter following promotion to the Premier League, although it’s not been easy for the German.
Even just a month or so ago, there was a growing vitriol against Daniel Farke. Leeds United drew 1-1 with Luton Town to drop down into 3rd place of the Championship table with six games to play.
And there were Leeds United fans who wanted Farke out there and then. But he guided the Whites to promotion and to the Championship title and Farke will remain in charge of Leeds United for next season.
It’s not just the fans who have grown to love Farke, but the players too. Many have shared their admiration for the former Norwich City boss and now someone who’s played for Farke at both Elland Road and Carrow Road has shared his love.
READ MORE: Leeds United not willing to ‘risk’ signing Premier League player despite his ‘remarkable’ 24/25 form
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Sam Byram is another name who’s very popular among Leeds fans. Leeds United re-signed Byram in the summer of 2023 despite his injury woes at Norwich City previously, and the 31-year-old would rack up 34 and then 36 Championship outings in his two seasons back at the club.
Speaking in an interview with The Athletic, Byram has now revealed how he thinks Farke saved his playing career following his tough spell at Norwich. Byram explained: “I’ve not said it to him, but he’s probably saved my career in a way. The last year at Norwich and over a few seasons there, I’d had an incredible amount of injuries.
“For him to give me a chance to come back and be involved in something like this, I’ll never be able to repay him. For me to be back at my boyhood club and be able to play and be involved, it’s amazing.”
READ MORE: Leeds United poised to submit bid for £38m-rated Argentina international
Photo by Malcolm Bryce – LUFC/Leeds United via Getty Images
What’s the latest on Sam Byram’s Leeds United future?
Byram only started 16 Championship games in the 2024/25 season but he played his part nonetheless. An unsung hero among the squad for many fans, it’s since been reported that Byram will leave Leeds United this summer when his deal expires.
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He’s among the handful of Leeds United players out of contract in 2025 along with the likes of Junior Firpo and Josuha Guilavogui: both of whom look set to leave Elland Road as free agents in the summer.
But it goes down as a positive return for Byram. Oftentimes players return to former clubs and almost tarnish their reputation with poor performances. But Byram more than held his own at the top end of the Championship, overcoming his injury woes in the process.
Expect there to be a number of Championship clubs looking to sign the full-back this summer.
Newcastle United are expected to make a final decision on St James’ Park’s future in early 2025.
Newcastle United supporters continue to debate the issue of the day: what to do with St James’ Park.
The stadium’s future remains a contentious issue, with a definitive decision not expected until early next year. Speaking at the Sela STACK 10 days ago, Brad Miller, Newcastle’s Chief Operating Officer playing a hands-on role in the process, reiterated the club’s stance.
“We want to make sure it is a very robust process,” he said. “So regardless of the outcome, I want to stand up in front of everybody throughout the process and say, ‘This is why it is a logical decision, with long-term competitiveness in mind.’
“Because as you have heard a lot, it is all about revenue and PSR. We have to work hard to make sure we give as much money as possible to Paul (Mitchell) and the football side in order to remain competitive on the field.
“In terms of next steps, we are coming towards the end of the next stage, the briefing stage. There are a lot of risks and opportunities at St James’. We have to take time to dig into those and make sure we’ve got the devil in the details – in terms of the programme, how long it will take and what it will do for us in terms of revenue.”
Fresh concept images produced by 3D animator Damian Bosio via his YouTube channel, Bondibot, may intrigue supporters. Option A involved expanding the Gallowgate End and Gallowgate West Corner to the same level as the Milburn and Leazes Stands.
Option B looked at raising the St James’ Park pitch and moving it north west to allow more space to expand the East Stand and Gallowgate Stand so they are similar height to the Milburn and Leazes Stand. Meanwhile, option C showed a new stadium being built next to the current site on Leazes Park.
Have a browse yourself and let us know how you think.
This would involve building over the road and into Strawberry Place.
1. Expanding the Gallowgate Stand
This would involve building over the road and into Strawberry Place. | Bondibot
The concept design involves removing the Gallowgate Stand roof and starting the expansion across the road to allow traffic to continue passing through.
2. Removing the roof
The concept design involves removing the Gallowgate Stand roof and starting the expansion across the road to allow traffic to continue passing through. | Bondibot
The East Stand, listed buildings and Leazes Conservation area would remain undisturbed by this expansion.
3. One stand expansion
The East Stand, listed buildings and Leazes Conservation area would remain undisturbed by this expansion. | Bondibot
The Gallowgate expansion concept would raise the stand to the same level as the Milburn and Leazes stands.
4. A significant expansion
The Gallowgate expansion concept would raise the stand to the same level as the Milburn and Leazes stands. | Bondibot
