Thomas Christiansen may well consider himself more Spanish than Danish. Coming through Barcelona’s B team, the now Leeds United manager spent most of his football career in Spain.
He’s also represented the country’s national side at both U21 and senior level, and when there’s no job to be doing, Christiansen goes home to Barcelona.
Therefore it’s no surprise that when it comes to speaking about his new job, one of the first stops is the Catalan press. In Thursday’s edition of Sport, the Leeds boss had a chat about his Barcelona past and future at Elland Road.
Sport put a small piece of trivia to Christiansen… he’s the first coach to move from managing in Cyprus to the English second division.
“Well, I did not know that, but it’s okay, right? I always liked England, the passion of the fans, the pace of the game, the pitches… I wanted to try it and there it is.”
The Catalan newspaper said to Christiansen that he’s obviously got to get Leeds United to the Premier League, to which he replied: “I know there is such ambition, but Aston Villa, Sunderland, Fulham, Reading, Sheffield, Reading, Forest also want to do it… It’s not going to be easy.”
Like some of the other Championship clubs mentioned, Leeds are a grand old name of English football, and that status is still recognised in Spain, so Sport ask Christiansen if it brings extra pressure: “I hope not… Wow, it’s not something I ask myself. The stadium, Elland Road, is spectacular, the sports town too and there is a great atmosphere. That is what I have seen, both with the president and Victor Orta, the director.”
Christiansen sounds eager to get to work at Leeds United, and put to use all he’s learned in Spain, and of course Cyprus as well.
