New Leeds head coach Thomas Christiansen targets Premier League

New Leeds head coach Thomas Christiansen is targeting a return to the Premier League for the club in his first season at Elland Road.

The former Spain international was confirmed as Garry Monk's successor last week after leaving his role at Cypriot side Apoel Nicosia.

Leeds had looked on course to secure a place in the Sky Bet Championship play-offs under Monk last season, but no win from their last four matches saw them drop out of contention and ultimately finish in seventh spot.

Christiansen said: "I believe in my possibilities, this is why I am here. This is why Leeds also believe in my abilities and we all want the same, to arrive in the best place at the end of the season.

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What do we know about the Denmark-born Spaniard?

"Last year, we finished seventh, promotion should at least be a target."

Monk, who has since been appointed as the new manager of Championship rivals Middlesbrough, won 22 of his 46 matches as Leeds boss as the club registered their highest league finish since the 2010-11 campaign.

Christiansen led Apoel to the Cypriot First Division title last season and hopes his fresh ideas can inspire Leeds to go one better this coming season.

"I am at a big club with ambition. One of the things that inspired me to come here is that it's a family club, a big club that deserves to be in the Premier League and I believe with the good work, we can achieve that," the 44-year-old added.

"About the league? I have followed it since I was a boy. I know how they play and how they advance. It's still with the direct play and with the 4-4-2.

"I will try to put my ideas onto the pitch, to bring that also to the players and to dominate the games.

"But this is a process that I have to go through with the players. I am very excited and I believe that we can do good things here."