Thomas Christiansen has hailed new Leeds United specialist set-piece coach Gianni Vio as “one of the best in the world”.
The former AC Milan coach has been appointed to the Elland Road backroom staff a third of the way into the season and was in the dugout for United’s 2-1 defeat to Derby County at Elland Road on Tuesday.
Vio’s appointment has been questioned, with some claiming he had joined the manager’s staff above his head and others claiming they were confused as to why the club requited another coach.
Christiansen said Vio had been recommended by the club, rather than identified by him specifically, but described him as a great extra addition to his team.
“He’s a specialist and he’s one of the best in the world,” Christiansen said, as quoted by the Yorkshire Evening Post. “His CV and all the numbers tell good things about him, what he has achieved in many clubs. One of them is Fiorentina where he did a fantastic job. He has many interesting ideas.”
“The club told me there was a possibility (or recruiting Vio) and of course I want to have the best with me. I’m more than happy with that.”
Vio has built his reputation as an expert with set-piece routines during spells with Catania, Fiorentina, Milan and Brentford.
He was dubbed the ‘Little Wizard’ by ex-Catania manager Walter Zenga and was credited with improving Brentford’s strike-rate from dead-ball situations following his arrival in England from Milan in the summer of 2015.
Leeds have scored three of their 23 league goals from set-pieces this season and Vio will focus on that area as the club attempt to end a wretched run of form, which has included six defeats from their last seven matches in all competitions.
OPINION
Dubbed the Little Wizard when he was at Catania, Vio has a growing reputation in the game and worked wonders at Brentford as the team’s number of set-piece goals went through the roof. He is renowned for exploiting set pieces and getting players scoring who wouldn’t otherwise score. Some of his routines have prompted ridicule, others have led to rave reviews. Leeds have struggled to exploit set pieces this season, with 2016-17 totem Kyle Bartley particularly missed. Elite sport is all about marginal gains. Vio’s track record suggests he can provide massive value to Leeds. He could be a great appointment.