Thomas Christiansen has expressed his delight after coach Gianni Vio agreed to join the Leeds United backroom staff.
Vio, a specialist set-piece coach, was sat in the dug-out as United slumped to a 2-1 defeat to Derby County on Tuesday night, in the first public signal of his arrival at the club.
Christiansen announced after the game that the senior man was the newest member of his coaching squad.
When asked about Vio, the Leeds manager was quoted by Yorkshire Evening Post reporter Phil Hay on his personal Twitter account as saying: “They told me there was a possibility (to get him) and of course I want the best with me. I’m happy with that.”
TC on new coach, Gianni Vio: "They told me there was a possibility (to get him) and of course I want the best with me. I'm happy with that."
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) October 31, 2017
Vio has worked for Italian giants AC Milan, as well as Catania, Fiorentina and Leeds’ Championship rivals Brentford, in recent years.
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. 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.