Confirmed: Christiansen adds ex-Euro giants senior man to Leeds backroom staff

By Danny Wright

Thomas Christiansen has confirmed that Gianni Vio has joined the Leeds United backroom staff at Elland Road.

Vio was sat in the dug-out as the Whites lost 2-1 to Derby on Tuesday night, and Christiansen announced after the game that the senior man was the newest member of his coaching squad.

The Italian is known for specialising in set-pieces and there's no doubt that Leeds manager Christiansen sees him as one of the top names in the business for what he does.

When asked about Vio, the Dane was quoted by Yorkshire Evening Post reporter Phil Hay on his personal Twitter account as saying: "They told me there was a possibility (to get him) and of course I want the best with me. I'm happy with that."

Vio has quite a CV which has seen him work for the likes of Fiorentina, Brentford and European giants AC Milan in the past, so there's no doubting that he has plenty of experience to offer at Elland Road.

The set-piece specialist first experience of watching Leeds won't be one to remember though as the Whites blew a first-half lead to lose 2-1 to the Rams - their fifth defeat in six league games.

The Yorkshire club dropped down to sixth in the Championship table due to the result as Gary Rowett's side leapfrogged them in the standings.

In other Leeds United news, Andrea Radrizzani issued a message to the fans after the loss to Derby.

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