Farke surprised by Leeds progress

Leeds United boss Daniel Farke celebrates with the fans after their 4-0 win over Norwich City at Elland Road on Thursday

Leeds United boss Daniel Farke said he could not have envisioned winning promotion back to the Premier League after their start to the season.

The Whites will face either Southampton or West Bromwich Albion in the Championship play-off final at Wembley on Sunday, 26 May after hammering Norwich 4-0 on Thursday in the second leg of their semi-final.

Farke, who twice won the second tier title during his time in charge of the Canaries, took over at Elland Road last summer after their relegation from the top tier.

"We are at Wembley and we are one game away. If you had told me in September that we would return back to the Premier League I would have said, 'Really? No chance,' but now we have a chance," the German said.

"I signed a long-term contract because I know how difficult it can be to return at the first time of asking.

"Once I signed the contract I was carefully optimistic but when I came here and saw how we were at the end of August... I was a bit more careful."

After a large turnover of players in the summer Leeds won just three of their opening nine league matches of the campaign.

However, their form improved thereon and a 10-match winning run at the start of this calendar year propelled them into automatic promotion contention.

Although they tailed off with just one win in their final six games to finish third behind Leicester City and Ipswich Town they are now within 90 minutes of an immediate return to the top flight after the biggest ever single leg win in a Championship play-off semi-final.

Promotion to the Premier League would vindicate the former Borussia Monchengladbach boss's decision to return to English football.

"I signed for this club because I wanted to return to the Premier League. I wouldn't have signed for another club in the Championship," Farke said.

"The last times I was in this league I won it, it's not like I'm trying to win my first promotion.

"Last season I was in charge in the Bundesliga and preparing a big team for games against Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich.

"I want to return back to the best league in the world, the Premier League. I want to work at the best level."