Former Leeds United head coach Thomas Christiansen back in management eyeing Qatar World Cup

Former AEK Larnaca and APOEL boss Christiansen was appointed as Garry Monk's successor at Leeds in June 2017 and the Dane's tenure began with a bang with five victories and two draws from United's first seven games.

Yet Christiansen was eventually sacked the following February with United down in tenth and replaced by Paul Heckingbottom who himself was replaced by Marcelo Bielsa at the end of the campaign in which Leeds finished 13th.

Christiansen then returned to management in July 2019 in Belgian football's second tier with Royale Union Saint-Gilloise but the Dane left his post in May.

But three months later, Christiansen is back in management with Panama with the 47-year-old aiming to take the Central American side to the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

Panama qualified for the World Cup for the first time in Russia in 2018 with Los Canaleros drawn in the same group as England, Belgium and Tunisia.

Panama will look to qualify from the CONCACAF region - the North, Central American and Caribbean section.

Writing on his Instagram page, Christiansen said: "So proud to be able to direct Panama and grateful for this exciting opportunity. Looking forward to starting work to return all confidence. Let's go Panama!"

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Thank you Laura Collins