Leeds announce Javi Gracia as their new manager on a ‘flexible contract’ after several failed pursuits to replace Jesse Marsch – as Elland Road chiefs opt for Premier League experience in their fight against relegation
- Javi Gracia has taken over at Leeds two weeks after the sacking of Jesse Marsch
- The boss finished 11th with Watford in 2018-19 and took them to the FA Cup final
- Leeds struggled to lure candidates such as Andoni Iraola and Carlos Corberan
Javi Gracia has taken over as manager of Leeds United, the club confirmed in an announcement on Tuesday.
The 52-year-old head coach, who managed Watford in the Premier League before taking on spells at Valencia and Al-Sadd, will be tasked with steering Leeds clear of relegation, with the club in danger of a return to the Championship.
The Premier League side axed former boss Jesse Marsch on February 6 after a string of poor results in the top flight, and the Yorkshire club has since fallen to 19th in the table behind Everton, Bournemouth and West Ham.
Announcing his appointment – subject to a work permit – the club said they were hopeful he could take the reins for their next clash against Southampton on Saturday.
‘Leeds United are delighted to announce the club have agreed terms with Javi Gracia to become men’s first team head coach, subject to obtaining a work permit. The experienced 52-year-old has agreed a flexible contract at Elland Road.
Ex-Watford and Valencia boss Javi Gracia has been confirmed as Leeds United’s new manager
His appointment comes just over two weeks after the sacking of former manager Jesse Marsch
‘The club hope Gracia’s first game in charge of the Whites will be Saturday’s Premier League clash against Southampton at Elland Road, subject to obtaining the necessary work permissions.’
During his first six months at Vicarage Road after joining in January 2018, Gracia kept Watford afloat following the dismissal of Marco Silva and subsequently led the club to an 11th-place finish in the 2018-19 campaign.
The Spaniard also marshalled the Hornets to their first FA Cup final in 35 years before losing 6-0 to Manchester City at Wembley.
Picking up just one point after a poor start to the new campaign, Gracia was sacked by Watford in September 2019.
Axing Marsch over a fortnight ago, Leeds have worked hard to bring in a new manager but kept falling short in a number of failed pursuits.
The Elland Road chiefs struggled to lure candidates such as Rayo Vallecano’s Andoni Iraola, West Brom’s Carlos Corberan and Arne Slot of Feyenoord, and they spoke to former Ajax boss Alfred Schreuder before changing their minds following poor fan reaction.
Sportsmail reported on Monday night that talks with Gracia were underway and that he was one of two names under consideration, alongside former Newcastle, Chelsea, Liverpool and Everton manager Rafa Benitez.
The club had been willing to stick with Michael Skubala (right) for the rest of the campaign but sporting director Victor Orta (left) felt the club needed more experience to avoid relegation
His first test at Elland Road will be a crucial six-pointer against relegation rivals Southampton
Benitez, who has been out of management since his Toffees exit in January 2022, pulled out of the running in the hope of landing a different project.
At one stage, Leeds had been willing to leave interim boss Michael Skubala in charge until the end of the season, but their encouraging 2-2 draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford was followed by successive defeats.
The Yorkshire club were first beaten 2-0 by the Red Devils at Elland Road in the reverse fixture and were then defeated 1-0 in a crucial six-pointer against Everton at Goodison Park at the weekend.
Gracia will hope to make a fast start to life at Elland Road as Leeds host rock-bottom Southampton on Saturday.
Despite sitting at the foot of the table, the Saints lie just one point behind Leeds and were handed a major lift last weekend, beating Chelsea 1-0 at Stamford Bridge under interim manager Ruben Selles.
Three days after hosting Southampton, Gracia will travel to Craven Cottage to take on Fulham in the FA Cup fifth round before facing off against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge the following weekend.
Gracia’s last job saw him retain the league title with Al-Sadd after taking over from Xavi, who had left for Spanish giants Barcelona.
The Pamplona-born coach has also managed at Osasuna, Malaga and Rubin Kazan.
Leeds had struggled to lure candidates such as Andoni Iraola (left) and Carlos Corberan (right)
Gracia kept Watford in the Premier League and then took them to the FA Cup final back in 2019
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