Leeds United have announced Javi Gracia as the club’s new head coach.
In a released statement on Tuesday, the Premier League club said: “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.
“Born in Spain, Gracia had a successful playing career for Valladolid, Real Sociedad, Villarreal and Cordoba.
“Since retiring and moving into management, he has taken charge of a number of teams in Europe including Osasuna, Malaga, Watford and Valencia.”
Gracia replaces Marsch
The Spanish coach replaces Jesse Marsch at Elland Road after the American coach was recently sacked after eleven months in the job.
Leeds’ poor run of results following the Qatar 2022 World Cup has seen the Yorkshire club slip into the relegation zone. The Whites are 19th in the Premier League with 19 points from 23 games.
Leeds had been linked with West Bromwich Albion’s Carlos Corberan and Rayo Vallecano’s Andoni Iraola.
The Premier League now has another Spanish coach – six in total. Pep Guardiola arrived at Manchester City in 2016. Mikel Arteta took the reins at Arsenal in 2019, and in the middle of the current campaign Unai Emery and Julen Lopetegui moved to Aston Villa and Wolves respectively. And Rubén Sellés, although still on an interim basis, is currently in charge of Southampton.
Gracia’s first game in charge of Leeds will be Saturday’s Premier League clash against fellow strugglers Southampton at Elland Road, subject to obtaining the necessary work permissions.
Kieran Quaile | GSFN
