![\"Anton](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/0_GettyImages-2262847880.jpg\")
<\/p>\nMeanwhile, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has touched on his relationship with Daniel Farke<\/p>\n
Isaac Johnson Leeds United reporter<\/p>\n
12:38, 23 Feb 2026<\/p>\n
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Anton Stach played one his best games for Leeds on Saturday(Image: Naomi Baker\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Anton Stach\u2019s sublime free-kick may well be among the goal of the season contenders come May – it will certainly be among Leeds United\u2019s.<\/p>\n
\u201cI saw that the goalkeeper had been lurking for the second post, and then I just thought I will just do it,\u201d explained the German, who had initially been told by teammates to drift the ball to the back post.<\/p>\n
That is now Stach\u2019s fourth goal of the season, with three of them being direct free-kicks – the most out of any Premier League player. Leeds<\/a> top the chart for most direct free-kicks scored as a result.<\/p>\n Stach<\/a>\u2019s first came against Wolverhampton Wanderers back in September before he fired home late on in December\u2019s 4-1 win over Crystal Palace at Elland Road. Before this season, his last direct free-kick came while playing for fourth-tier German side SSV Jeddeloh in 2017.<\/p>\n Ensure our latest headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search. Help us stay visible by adding us as a Preferred Source in your search settings.<\/a><\/p>\n Guardiola on \u2018friend\u2019 Farke<\/p>\n Listening to the comments of other Premier League managers, it is clear that many have a lot of respect for Daniel Farke beyond the usual pleasantries. Unai Emery said he had a lot of \u201cadmiration\u201d for the Leeds boss in his matchday programme notes on Saturday.<\/p>\n Farke <\/a>will face up against another complimentary contemporary this weekend when Manchester City come to town. Pep Guardiola is clearly someone who has a lot of time for the German, having called on the phone back in August following Arsenal\u2019s 5-0 win.<\/a><\/p>\n Whether or not there have been any phone calls since then is not known, but Guardiola is clear on how he feels about Farke. \u201cI have an incredible admiration and respect for Daniel,\u201d said Guardiola after his side\u2019s 2-1 win over Newcastle United on Saturday.<\/p>\n \u201cHe is a friend of mine and I know how difficult it will be.\u201d This comes after Guardiola stated he had an \u201cincredible opinion\u201d of Farke back in November.<\/p>\n NFL star becomes 49ers investors<\/p>\n American Football star Maxx Crosby has confirmed that he has become an investor in Leeds United under the 49ers Enterprises banner. The Las Vegas Raiders defensive end becomes the latest in a long list of famous US athletes to plug cash into the firm.<\/p>\n Confirming the news on social media, Crosby wrote: \u201cWinners recognise winners. Proud to invest with Leeds United. All in on the culture.\u201d<\/p>\n Other notable 49ers Enterprises investors include golfing icon Jordan Spieth, swimming legend Michael Phelps, and NBA star and avid Whites supporter Larry Nance Jr. Actors Russell Crowe and Will Ferrell are also involved.<\/p>\n