Leeds bring in ex-Barça player Thomas Christiansen as coach
Leeds United have appointed former APOEL Nicosia boss Thomas Christiansen as their new manager, the Championship side said on Thursday.
Leeds United have appointed former APOEL Nicosia coach Thomas Christiansen as their new manager, the Championship side announced this afternoon.
Christiansen's Spanish connections
A former striker who played for several Spanish clubs including Barcelona, Villarreal and Oviedo, Christiansen take over from Garry Monk, who left Elland Road after a season-long spell to join Middlesbrough last week. Christiansen led APOEL Nicosia to the Cypriot league title earlier this year and the Last 16 of the Europa League for the first time in the club's history.
The 44-year-old also spent a short time as assistant manager at Abu Dhabi-based club Al Jazira under Spanish coach Luis Milla in 2013, before taking over AEK Larnaca in 2014. His appointment brings to an end weeks of speculation during which several Spanish coaches Aitor Karanka, Fernando Hierro and Víctor Sánchez del Amo had been linked with the Leeds job.
“Thomas was someone who had been on our radar from the very early stages of the process and quickly established himself as the outstanding candidate," Leeds United managing director Angus Kinnear said in a statement. “We are confident we have found a man with who can work with us to take the club to the next level.”
Leeds just miss out on Play-Offs
Leeds finished seventh in the Championship last season, just missing out on the promotion play-offs. The Yorkshire club has had its fair share of struggles both on and off the pitch since losing their Premier League status in 2004.