Leeds United boss Thomas Christiansen has a strong footballing background. Can he help the Whites become the Barcelona of the Championship?
Elland Road
Leeds United surprised pretty much everybody with their decision to appoint Thomas Christiansen as their new manager.
Christiansen is relatively unheard of in England but he has a strong footballing background – even being the Bundesliga top scorer in 2003.
He began his playing career at Barcelona, and he has tried to apply these principles as a coach.
Tributes to Johan Cruyff
Speaking to Catalan newspaper Sport at last year, Christiansen explained that his time at the Nou Camp has stuck with him.
He said: “Here (Cyprus) is a football generally physical and long ball. I grew up in another school and my philosophy is to have the ball, to combine and to be protagonists … Kicking and running behind the ball does not go with us.
“Cruyff instilled a way to see spectacular football. From that many have learned and moved that idea. If you have a true idea, you enjoy it. And that, too, I learned.
“Johan influenced a lot of people. You want to put into practice what you know, what you master, what you have learned. To me, all of Barcelona impressed me a lot, living all that and from so young.”
Revie Stand, Elland Road
In the English Championship Christiansen will encounter a demanding league, but one which coaches have proven in recent seasons can be won with finesse as well as physicality.
The success of Brighton and Huddersfield last season demonstrated that, and if Christiansen can get his players to buy in, Leeds could be challengers at the top of the table.
Garry Monk had Leeds playing good football at times but was criticised for not having a plan B.
Christiansen has played in Denmark, Spain, Germany and Cyprus and this well rounded footballing education could make him a superior option to the man he is replacing.
Leeds United fans
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