Leeds desperate to win promotion with fans - Farke

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke says his players are desperate to deliver promotion for the club's supporters, after their last return to the Premier League five years ago was sealed without fans at matches because of restrictions during the Covid pandemic.

Victory at Middlesbrough took Leeds back top of the Championship after a difficult run of one win in the six previous games.

Farke is trying to harness the emotion but not succumb to the pressure as they chase a return to the top flight.

They were promoted to the Premier League as champions in 2019-20 but played the last last nine games behind closed doors because of Covid protocols, meaning Leeds supporters last enjoyed going up to the top flight with their team in 1990.

"It's tiring and exhausting especially to be the first Leeds side to be promoted together with our supporters for 35 years," said Farke

"It means so much to the players to be able to do this."

Farke revealed that Ao Tanaka had been in tears in the dressing room following the 1-1 draw at Luton Town on Saturday.

The 26-year-old had been taken aback by some of the negative reaction from the away support at the end of the game at Kenilworth Road after Leeds were unable to find a winner - and two more crucial points - after equalising just past the midway point of the first half.

And it is why the German is calling for everyone at Elland Road to stay united in the last few weeks of the season to get over the line, as they sit top on goal difference from Burnley and two points clear of Sheffield United with five games to go.

"It's so difficult and I wish sometimes the fans knew this," said Farke.

"We're in a business where there is lots of pressure.

"I don't like to complain about this because the players have a proper life and earn lots of money, but let's not forget, we work with human beings and we must keep this in mind when we criticise them a little bit."