Thomas Christiansen must be feeling the pressure at Leeds United.
Cardiff City put a further dent in Leeds United’s promotion hopes by beating them 4-1 at Elland Road on Saturday.
As a result, Leeds are now seven points adrift of the top six in 10th and you wonder if head coach Thomas Christiansen will be starting to fear for his job – especially after what his boss said last summer.
Speaking to BBC Sport, United owner Andrea Radrizzani claimed in August that finishing in the playoff places was “the minimum requirement” for Christiansen in his first season in West Yorkshire.
Considering the Whites’ next three games are away to Sheffield United, home to Bristol City and away to Derby County, it’s entirely possible that Christiansen’s side will be further adrift of the top six by February 21 and if that’s the case then surely Radrizzani might be tempted to pull the trigger and prepare for next season.
Leeds have drawn two and lost four of their last six Championship games. The wheels are coming off in spectacular fashion and the absence of Samu Saiz – who will miss the Whites’ next two games after being hit with a six-match ban last month – is showing in a big way.
They had another man sent off on Saturday in Gaetano Berardi, who was the fourth Leeds player to be red carded this calendar year alone. It will have infuriated Christiansen, who has stressed the importance of discipline in recent weeks, but if the players aren’t heeding that message then perhaps it’s a reflection on him.
If the players are behind the Denmark-born Spaniard then they must start playing like it because, based on Radrizzani’s comments, he might not be there much longer if this form continues.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
