Leeds United manager Daniel Farke did not hold back after his side’s shocking Carabao Cup exit at the hands of Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday night. The Premier League outfit suffered a humiliating 3-0 penalty shootout defeat after being held to a 1-1 draw in normal time at Hillsborough, a result that has left the German coach furious and deeply disappointed with his players.
The loss came as a bitter blow for Leeds, who had entered the competition with hopes of making a strong cup run. Instead, they bowed out in the second round against a Championship side battling internal crises, as Wednesday supporters boycotted the match in protest against club owner Dejphon Chansiri.
Speaking after the game, Farke admitted his team felt “embarrassed” to be knocked out by a lower-league opponent and stressed that the defeat was completely self-inflicted.
“We have to take all of the criticism and we are self-critical because out of all the chances we should put four or five goals to bed,” Farke said. “It’s always a bit annoying and you feel a bit embarrassed as a Premier League side, but we have been involved in so many games on this level, especially in the cup – this is why there are so many surprises and shock results. Even the team in the lower league can win such a game. Today was one of those days, and congratulations to Sheffield Wednesday.”
Despite acknowledging Wednesday’s resilience, the Leeds boss could not hide his anger, suggesting that the result was more about his side’s failings than their opponents’ strengths.
“We feel ashamed losing to Wednesday,” he added. “With the chances we had, this game should have been finished long before penalties. They got a bit lucky tonight.”
The Whites created numerous scoring opportunities but lacked composure in front of goal. With star forwards misfiring, the frustration grew as Wednesday held firm and took the contest to spot-kicks.
When the penalties came, Leeds’ lack of confidence was glaring. All three of their opening attempts were missed, while Wednesday ruthlessly converted theirs to secure passage to the next round.
The defeat comes hot on the heels of a 5-0 thrashing by Arsenal in the Premier League, raising serious questions about Leeds’ form and consistency under Farke.
After the optimism of an opening-day victory over Everton, Leeds supporters are now beginning to worry about the direction of the team. The loss to Wednesday, coupled with the Arsenal humiliation, has triggered concern that the Whites could be in for another turbulent season.
On social media, fans expressed their frustration. One wrote:
“Same old Leeds – full of talk, no end product. Losing to Wednesday like this is unacceptable.”
Another added:
“Farke has to fix this quickly. Cup runs matter to fans, and this performance was disgraceful.”
Daniel Farke arrived at Elland Road with the task of restoring Leeds’ credibility after a rocky spell in recent years. But his history of Premier League struggles with Norwich City has resurfaced in discussions, with pundits warning that patience could wear thin if results don’t improve.
Former players have also weighed in, insisting that Leeds must rediscover their fighting spirit. One ex-Whites midfielder told local media:
“Losing to Sheffield Wednesday, given everything happening at that club right now, is a disaster. Leeds need to show they are a Premier League side, not a team sleepwalking into more disappointment.”
The defeat means Leeds now turn their full attention back to the Premier League. Farke’s men will need a strong response in their next fixture if they are to steady the ship and restore confidence among supporters.
But with momentum already slipping away, and with performances under the microscope, the Leeds boss knows he cannot afford many more nights like this.
As one Leeds fan put it bluntly after the final whistle:
“We didn’t just lose the game – we lost our pride.”
For Farke, the task ahead is clear: regroup, refocus, and prove that Tuesday’s embarrassment was nothing more than a one-off.
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