EXCLUSIVE: TOP EUROPEAN COACH EYES LEEDS UNITED JOB, SPOTTED AT ELLAND ROAD WITH PARAAG MARATHE

Leeds United’s nightmare start to the 2025-26 Premier League campaign has reached boiling point. With just 11 points from their opening 11 fixtures and a humiliating 3-1 defeat to Bournemouth last weekend, head coach Daniel Farke finds himself on the brink. Fan discontent is palpable—overwhelming polls show supporters baying for his dismissal—and club hierarchy is reportedly deliberating a swift change to arrest a slide towards the relegation trapdoor.

Spearheading the search is Leeds chairman Paraag Marathe, the 49ers Enterprises executive whose data-driven acumen has already reshaped the Whites’ recruitment model. Sources indicate Marathe favors a high-profile appointment to galvanize Elland Road, blending tactical nous with star power.

Top of the wishlist: Brendan Rodgers. The Northern Irish tactician, freshly available after departing Celtic amid a trophyless stutter, was Leeds’ dream hire before Farke’s 2024 arrival.

Rodgers’ Premier League pedigree—trophies at Leicester, flair at Liverpool—makes him a seductive fit for a squad brimming with young talent like Archie Gray and Wilfried Gnonto. His 3-4-3 system, emphasizing possession and pressing, could unlock Leeds’ attacking potential, much like Marcelo Bielsa’s halcyon days. At 52, Rodgers brings pedigree without the baggage of a long unemployment spell, and betting markets peg him at 5/2 favorite.

Marathe’s admiration for Rodgers’ analytics integration aligns perfectly with the club’s American ownership vision.
A wildcard alternative: Steven Gerrard. The Liverpool icon, out of work since his Aston Villa sacking in 2022, has been floated by pundit Ally McCoist as the “Premier League legend” to steady the ship.

Gerrard’s Rangers triumph showcased his ability to instill discipline and counter-attacking bite—qualities Leeds desperately need amid defensive frailties. At 45, he’s hungry for redemption, and his aura could rally a fractious fanbase. Odds stand at 8/1, but Gerrard’s local ties and motivational prowess make him a romantic, if risky, punt.
As the international break offers a tactical reset, Marathe’s decision looms large. Rodgers promises stability; Gerrard, ignition. Either could reignite Leeds’ promotion pedigree, but dithering risks a season-defining nosedive. Elland Road awaits its next messiah.