According to Phil Hay of The Athletic, the Leeds United new manager search is set to end with the appointment of Javi Gracia as their new head coach. This comes as Last Word on Football understands that various events with the public at Thorp Arch have been cancelled throughout the day, leading to speculation surrounding an announcement today.
Leeds United New Manager Search to End with Javi Gracia
How Did the Managerial Search Reach This Point?
Victor Orta and his recruitment team had a long journey to reach this point in the recruitment process. After failing to appoint initial targets including Andoni Iraola and Arne Slot, the Yorkshire club was left looking for options that were further down the shortlist. In spite of plans to hire former Ajax boss Alfred Schreuder, the club has landed on former Watford and Valencia manager Javi Gracia.
Who is Javi Gracia?
Javi Gracia is most widely known for his work with Watford in the Premier League, keeping the club up in 2017/18 and 2018/19. In spite of these successes, he lost his job the next season after picking up only one point in the first four matches.
Renowned goalkeeper Ben Foster said of his style om 2018: “There’s a lot of high-intensity running, closing down and closing the space. We’re quite aggressive as well”. This suits the Leeds United squad perfectly, with players assembled under the high-pressing Marcelo Bielsa and Jesse Marsch reigns all having the energy to defend from the front.
Can the Leeds United New Manager Keep the Club Up?
Relegation is the biggest fear for loyal Whites, with the club sitting 19th in the table. However, Gracia will bring some hope. Thanks to his time at Watford the coach has experience of a relegation scrap, and with the right players in the squad, there is no doubt that the Spaniard can make a difference and keep Leeds United in the Premier League.
