Thomas Christiansen hails Leeds experience ahead of England clash with Panama | OneFootball

Thomas Christiansen has praised Leeds United and reflected on lessons from his brief spell at Elland Road as his Panama side prepare to face England on Saturday night at the World Cup.

As reported by yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk, the former APOEL and AEK Larnaca manager was a surprise Elland Road appointment in June 2017, overseeing a strong start to the Championship campaign as Leeds chased a Premier League return.

Results tailed off in autumn, and after another good run in December, he was dismissed in February following a 4-1 home defeat to Cardiff City, which made it five losses in a row.

He took charge of Union Saint-Gilloise in July 2019, then accepted his first international post the following summer as Panama head coach. The Dane, now 53, guided them to World Cup qualification and meets England in a huge group-stage finale.

Christiansen said his time in Leeds, though short, taught him most in his coaching career, stressing that difficult periods drive growth. He added that he enjoyed living in the city and spoke warmly about its people, whom he described as amazing.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk