Leeds United

Leeds United unveil new boss – 5 main talking points

Since it was announced that the relatively unknown Thomas Christiansen was to be the new Leeds United head coach/manager there has been a mixture of head-scratching and shrugged ‘Whos?’

Today’s unveiling at Elland Road, as Christiansen met the press for the first time, and they him, produced very few shocks but did give Leeds United fans a better insight into the man and his policies and expectations.

Leeds United unveil Thomas Christiansen – press conference

Reaction from Leeds United fans has been somewhat mixed in nature, some asking that the new man be given time, others that he’s a lamb being prepared for footballing lions. That’s the nature of Leeds United fans though – the black and white with no hints of grey.

Here’s a recap of the main talking points as told though the tweets of Yorkshire Evening Post reporter Phil Hay.

Leeds United press conference: Christiansen unveiled – main talking points

Many were said favoured, but only one was chosen and that one was Thomas Christiansen – former APOEL Nicosia head coach/manager. He guided the unfancied Cypriot side to the last-16 of the Europa League in a run that saw Atletico Bilbao and Panathanaikos beaten along the way.

Christiansen was said by new Director of Football Victor Orta to have been looking for ‘the’ opportunity rather than ‘an’ opportunity and that is what he has been given in the Leeds United job. He’s certainly confident of his abilities, saying that he’s created history at clubs he has managed.

One thing that Christiansen stressed was that he sees himself as flexible and adaptable when it came to setting up his sides. Last season Leeds United stuck mainly to a 4-2-3-1 system with two deep-lying midfielders who acted as a screen in front of the central defensive pairing. At times this rigid system had Leeds fans crying out for a little bend and flex that wasn’t forthcoming.

Another important thing that came out of the presser was a hint at unravelling a layer of difficulty from the often hard to uncover area of transfer dealings. Victor Orta came in from Middlesbrough to Leeds United reknowned as something of a transfer guru, having served under the legendary Monchi at Spanish club Sevilla.

However, a little clarity has been restored with Orta saying that it will be Christiansen who will be the man to have the last say on any players incoming into the club. He expanded on this saying that it would be ridiculous to expect any manager to work with players that would not fit his playing style.

It’s two in and the rest out at Elland Road as new manager Christiansen bolsters his backroom staff with not only assistant Julio Bañuelos but also fitness coach Ivan Torres and goalkeeping coach Marcos Abad. These appointments obviously see the end of the road for the rest of Monk’s backroom staff as the club say goodbye to Pep Clotet, James Beattie and Darryl Flahavan.

Going back to the subject of players and transfers, these being the next two big points on Leeds United fans’ minds, it seems that there may be incomings to the club. However, the bottom line will be ‘budget’ and how these players must fit in to the grand scheme of things.

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