Emotional Daniel Farke soaks in Leeds’ title-winning campaign

Posted Sunday, May 04, 2025 by PA

A tired Daniel Farke celebrated an emotional day for Leeds as they won the Championship title in dramatic style at Plymouth.

United needed to match Burnley’s result to beat them to the crown on goal difference and, thanks to Manor Solomon’s injury-time winner, they did just that.

Their 2-1 victory and superior goal difference rendered Burnley’s 3-1 win over Millwall meaningless in the title race, though staggeringly it ensured both sides ended the season with 100 points.

Emotional Daniel Farke soaks in Leeds’ title-winning campaign — Leeds celebrated with the Championship trophy (Steven Paston/PA)

“I was too tired to celebrate even at the final whistle because I was so focused on winning promotion,” said Farke, who initially shunned the pandemonium to sit alone in the dugout.

Since Leeds secured their Premier League return last week there has been plenty of speculation about Farke’s future, though he did eventually join in the celebrations and share a moment with chairman Paraag Marathe.

“I really wanted to win this match and win the title for everyone at the club,” Farke added.

On-loan Spurs winger Solomon scored with a brilliant strike after cutting in from the left, beating his markers and then letting fly with an unstoppable shot into the far corner and in front of the packed away end, sparking jubilant celebrations.

The Israel international was put in on goal by Wilfried Gnonto, who had profited from Solomon’s drilled cross to level in the 53rd minute.

Gnonto’s close-range strike cancelled out Plymouth’s 18th minute opener after Sam Byram was unfortunate to run into Mustapha Bundu’s strike as it came back off the post.

“It feels pretty good,” Farke said. “Of course, I’m happy that we won this game in the final stages and are officially allowed to label ourselves as champions and be the best team during the whole season.

“It’s a proud day and an emotionally moving day because we have invested so much and wanted to crown ourselves with some silverware.

“I’ve had this experience only a few times but for some of them it was the first time they have won any title.

“It feels pretty special in the dressing room and I’m very happy for my players and all my staff, it means so much for them, and also our supporters.

🏆 Title winning vibes… pic.twitter.com/Gw9uynF4JW
— Leeds United (@LUFC) May 3, 2025

“It’s a proud day for everyone who is connected to Leeds United Football Club.

“We had a bit of a difficult first half because we did not move the ball quickly enough.

“We looked a bit as though we had celebrated too much in the last week since winning promotion.

“We played a Plymouth side who have had a really good turnaround and won three of the last four.

“Yes, they were relegated but it showed they wanted to take a really good experience from today into their summer break so for that reason it was difficult.”

Farke joined Leeds two years ago after their relegation from the top flight and, after play-off final defeat last season, he has completed the mission he was brought in to achieve.

“To be honest I would not have signed for any other Championship club but Leeds United because I know how big this club can be and how much potential there is,” he said.

For Plymouth, they will play in League One next season.

A season which started with the high-profile arrival of Wayne Rooney quickly went wrong, leaving Miron Muslic to make a desperate attempt to keep them up, only to fall short.

“I am proud, very proud,” he said. “We faced today by far the best team in our division and gave another good performance.

“It showed good spirit and character of the lads yet again even though we are relegated. We are Plymouth Argyle, we play for the Green Army.

“We simply went all in and wanted to produce another memorable performance. We came 120 seconds from getting something against the best team in our league.