Ao Tanaka Makes Emotional Daniel Farke Revelation as Leeds United Set Sights

Ao Tanaka Makes Emotional Daniel Farke Revelation as Leeds United Set Sights on Europe

Ao Tanaka has made a revealing admission about what Daniel Farke told the Leeds United squad before the start of the season, claiming the manager set European qualification as the benchmark for the campaign.

The Japan international’s comments have offered a fascinating insight into the belief that has been building inside the Leeds dressing room, with Tanaka suggesting that Farke never wanted his players to approach the new season simply hoping to survive or finish comfortably in mid-table.

Instead, according to Tanaka, the Leeds boss challenged his squad to dream bigger.

Tanaka revealed that Farke made it clear before the opening game that European football should be the target — a message that apparently left a lasting impression on the players.

It was an ambitious demand from the manager, particularly with the pressure that comes with competing in the Premier League, but Tanaka believes the squad embraced the challenge.

“He told us before the season that we should be targeting a European spot,” Tanaka explained, reflecting on the conversation that helped shape Leeds’ mentality heading into the campaign.

For Tanaka, there was something particularly emotional about the way Farke delivered the message. Rather than simply setting a points target or talking about league position, the German coach wanted his players to believe that Leeds belonged among the teams competing for something significant.

The midfielder’s revelation makes Farke’s pre-season vision even more interesting, especially now that the campaign appears to be following the path he predicted.

Leeds have shown signs of growing confidence and ambition, and Tanaka believes the squad is beginning to see the possibility that Farke spoke about becoming a genuine reality.

“At least for now, it is going according to plan,” the midfielder’s comments suggest — a statement that could carry significant weight as Leeds continue their push.

Farke’s message was never merely about finishing as high as possible. It was about creating a mentality within the group that European football was a realistic objective rather than an impossible dream.

That belief appears to have spread throughout the squad.

Tanaka’s revelation will undoubtedly excite Leeds supporters, who have been waiting to see their club establish itself among the Premier League’s ambitious sides.

If Farke’s original benchmark was European qualification, then Leeds are currently showing that his bold pre-season message was not empty motivation.

The challenge now is to maintain that level throughout the season.

For Tanaka and his teammates, the target has already been set. And if things continue to go according to Farke’s plan, European nights could eventually become the reward for daring to believe.