Top-six spot sought by Leeds owner Radrizzani
LEEDS UNITED owner Andrea Radrizzani has set head coach Thomas Christiansen the clear target of a top-six finish this season – after revealing that his takeover of the club has cost him “in the region of £100m.”
In an interview with BBC Sport, Radrizzani talked up Christiansen’s potential and said he was confident of a “good result with him” as United’s first-team boss finalised his preparation for the start of the new Championship term this weekend.
Christiansen – the manager of APOEL in Cyprus last season – was Radrizzani’s choice as head coach after former incumbent Garry Monk resigned from the job two days after Radrizzani completed a 100 per cent buy-out of Leeds.
United finished one place below the play-offs, and asked if the top six was a minimum target, Radrizzani said: “Definitely yes. It’s a natural goal.
“Then I’m happy to welcome a good surprise and a better year than what I expect – but at the end, our target is the play-offs.”
Christiansen has been in management for only three years, all of those spent in Cyprus, but he was appointed on a two-year contract in June after impressing Radrizzani during an interview in Madrid.
Nine new signings have arrived since he took charge and Leeds are expected to recruit another centre-back and striker before the transfer window closes at the end of this month.
“I’m very confident otherwise I wouldn’t hire him,” Radrizzani said. “He’s a guy who has a good background and knows his football. I’ll be very supportive of him this year. I’m sure we can have a good result with him.”
Radrizzani’s buy-out of Massimo Cellino was followed by a deal to purchase Elland Road, 13 years after the ground was sold by Leeds to private owners.
Radrizzani, who has overseen renovation work at both the ground and United’s Thorp Arch training ground this summer, indicated at the time that his takeover had cost in excess of the £45m paid by Fosun International to take control of Wolverhampton Wanderers last year. The buyback of Elland Roadis believed to have cost around £20m.
He added: “I’m already committed with a big investment in the region of £100m. I’m here for good and I want to bring this club back to where they deserve.”