Leeds United: New head coach Thomas Christiansen set to be unveiled

Thomas Christiansen will be formally unveiled as Leeds United head coach at a press conference tomorrow as the club begin the countdown to the start of pre-season.

Christiansen is due to speak about his appointment for the first time during a lunchtime gathering at Elland Road after Leeds confirmed the former APOEL manager as their new first-team boss.

The Dane has signed a two-year contract at Elland Road with the option of a third year, taking on his first job in England after three seasons as a manager in Cyprus.

Christiansen met United owner Andrea Radrizzani for discussions in Madrid last Monday, convincing Radrizzani to appoint him during an extended presentation, and he flew into England over the weekend to begin work at Elland Road.

United’s players are scheduled to report back to Thorp Arch later this week and will begin fitness sessions next Monday. They have been absent since a 1-1 draw with Wigan Athletic which rounded off the Championship season on May 7.

The squad are returning to a different head coach following the dramatic resignation of Garry Monk last month and the surprise arrival of Christiansen after a three-week search.

New signing Hadi Sacko, who was on loan at Leeds last season and joined permanently from Sporting Lisbon a fortnight ago, will be among the players present at Thorp Arch as United start looking towards a first friendly on the weekend of July 8.

Leeds are still to announce their summer schedule amid complications over two fixtures. The club were discussing the possibility of a tour to Austria prior to Monk’s departure. Charlie Taylor, however, is unlikely to be present at Thorp Arch on Friday despite being offered a new two-year contract.

Taylor, who made his intention to leave United plain by refusing to play in their game at Wigan, had until Saturday to respond to the offer of a fresh deal but was expected to turn it down. His current contract expires on June 30 and West Bromwich Albion have been discussing a fee with Leeds in an attempt to sign the left-back without his valuation being set by tribunal.

The two clubs are yet to reach an agreement.