Thomas Christiansen is hanging onto his job at Leeds United by a thread, after an inconsistent start to life in the Elland Road dugout.  

Leeds enjoyed a magnificent start to the season under Christiansen and looked like an outfit capable of challenging for automatic promotion in mid-September. However, a slump in results over the last two months has put Christiansen under huge pressure heading into Sunday’s clash with Middlesbrough.

The Whites have picked up just two victories in their last nine Championship fixtures, and should they lose this weekend, there is a chance we could see a change in management at Elland Road.

Aitor Karanka, formerly of Middlesbrough, would be one manager undoubtedly linked with the Elland Road vacancy, should Christiansen depart.

The 44-year-old was linked with the job prior to Christiansen’s appointment, and has previously worked with Victor Orta, Leeds’ Director of Football, at Middlesbrough.

With that in mind, we take a look at THREE reasons why Karanka can turn Leeds' season back around…

A winning style

 

Arguably, Christiansen’s style of football is better than Karanka’s style, but the latter’s way of playing is far more effective and delivers results in the Championship.

Karanka helped Middlesbrough to promotion in 2016, playing a winning brand of football that was far from complex.

Christiansen’s side play good attacking football, but it doesn’t consistently deliver results, which Karanka’s style would.

Relationship with Orta

 

It is unclear what kind of relationship Orta and Karanka had at Middlesbrough, but they know each other and how they work, which can only be seen as a good thing.

Orta clearly has a huge influence at Elland Road, and whoever is the club’s head-coach needs to have a strong understanding with the Director of Football.

There have been no signs that Christiansen’s relationship with Orta has soured, but Karanka’s experience with him at Boro would serve him well if he was to be appointed.

Experience

 

Christiansen made a promising start to life with Leeds, but during the club’s difficult run, his lack of experience has shown.

Leeds have needed to go back to basics for a number of weeks now, which they have failed to do and results have got worse.

Karanka has experience of the Championship and it is likely that a coach of his calibre would have identified Leeds’ problems.