Thomas Christiansen is truly an international man of football. Born in Denmark to a Danish father and Spanish mother, he spent time in the Barcelona youth system.
Although he made many appearances for Barcelona B, he never made the breakthrough to the first team and went on to play for six other Spanish clubs. Then he had spells in Greece, Denmark and Germany, before embarking on an even more varied managerial career.
Leeds United fans will remember Christiansen from his spell at Elland Road, after Andrea Radrizzani chose him to replace Garry Monk. Whilst things didn’t go the way he’d planned at Leeds, and he was sacked after less than a year, there was always a warm feeling between him and most supporters.
Prior to the Whites he’d managed in the UAE and Cyprus, and following his exit from Elland Road his next job was in Belgium with Union SG.
Then came the career curveball. Christiansen took over the Panama national team in July 2020, when the country was ranked 81 in the world.
They’ve now risen to 35, and the manager is getting a lot of praise.
At the Copa America, they came second in their group and ahead of USA and Bolivia, qualifying for the quarterfinals where they lost to Colombia.
Tipsbladet report the former Leeds United manager is a wanted man, but he insists he’s happy where he is and wants to take Panama to the 2026 World Cup.
And even if he was tempted by a move… Panama have him protected by a $1m release clause.
