Leeds have sprung a surprise by appointing Thomas Christensen as their new manager.
The Championship giants announced on their official website on Thursday afternoon that the Denmark-born former Spain international had agreed to succeed Garry Monk in the dugout.
Leeds have agreed terms with Christensen, 44, just weeks after he left Cypriot club APOEL Nicosia.
???? #LUFC are delighted to announce that @T9Christiansen has agreed to become the new head coach at Elland Road https://t.co/Tgd8toPouV pic.twitter.com/SSfSssRggm
— Leeds United (@LUFC) June 15, 2017
The ex-striker guided APOEL to the Cypriot first division title during his only season at the helm as well as into the last-16 of the Europa League for the first time in the club’s history.
Prior to his season of success at Cyprus’ biggest club, Christiansen guided AEK Larnaca to two runners-up spots in the Cypriot top tier, the highest position in the history of the club, after cutting his coaching teeth as an assistant manager at United Arab Emirates club Al-Jazira.
Christensen’s appointment comes after he was not mentioned by any reports as a contender for the Leeds post, or featured into the bookmakers’ race to take over from Monk, who was appointed by Middlesbrough at the end of last week.
“We are delighted to make this announcement today as it successfully concludes what has been a thorough and extensive search, following a huge level of interest from all over the football world,” new Leeds managing director Angus Kinnear told the club’s official website.
“We wanted to appoint someone who can help us create a winning culture at the club and unite everyone connected with Leeds United, from the players to the supporters, ultimately taking the club back to where we all feel we belong.
“Thomas was someone who had been on our radar from the very early stages of the process and quickly established himself as the outstanding candidate.
“We are confident we have found a man with who can work with us to take the club to the next level.”