I’M NO SPECIAL ONE

Leeds’ eighth boss in three years tells fans: I may not be a big name but I’ll get you back in big time

THOMAS CHRISTIANSEN checked in as Leeds United’s eighth boss in three years and admitted: I’m no Special One. But he pledged to be remembered as the manager who returned the Yorkshire outfit to the Premier League. Christiansen has been called a Mr Nobody by Whites fans underwhelmed by his appointment as the successor to Garry Monk (right), who has taken charge at Middlesbrough after quitting Elland Road a fortnight ago. But the Danish-born former Barcelona and Spain striker is backing himself to answer the critics and be a big hit in Yorkshire. Christiansen, who guided Apoel to the Cypriot title and the last 16 of the Europa League last season, has penned a rolling 12-month deal as Monk’s replacement. But he made it clear he aims to be around for a lot longer than that. He said: ”I know the Leeds fans don’t know much about me and I can accept that because I am not a big name like Jose Mourinho. “But I am here at a very big club with a huge tradition. “Leeds have to be in the Premier League, and I really want to be the head coach who can take them back to where they belong. “I feel I can do that because I believe in my ability. I am not going to put a timescale on it although I obviously want to improve on last season’s seventh-place finish. “I am very excited about this challenge, and I am convinced I can do good things here. I have watched a lot of Championship football and I know what is needed to achieve success at this level.” Christiansen is a disciple of Johan Cruyff’s total football, having played under the legendary Dutch manager for five years at Barca in the early 1990s. He knows he may not be able to replicate that style of play in the hustle and bustle of English football’s second tier, but that doesn’t faze him. He insisted: “Sure, I know how I like my teams to play. I want them to be exciting in the way they win matches. “I shall try to put my ideas and beliefs into the players at Leeds, but one of my strengths as a coach is that I am very flexible and can adapt to the demands of the league I am working in. “That is why I’ve succeeded with my previous teams, Apoel and Larnaca, and why I believe I can succeed at Leeds. “I know Leeds have some very good players who can achieve something important. For myself, it has always been a dream to manage here in England.”