Updated:
Feb 22, 2023
It’s been a tumultuous few months for Leeds fans. Promising in many games but results for Leeds paint a different picture. Having only won 4 premier league games this season the least of any team in the Premier League. Leeds find themselves in 19th position in the league and in desperate need of change after previously announcing that Caretaker manager Michael Skubala will remain in charge for the upcoming fixtures after the dismissal of manager Jessie Marsch. It appears that Leeds has realised the gravity of the situation and has decided to appoint former Watford Manager Javi Gracia as the new Leeds head coach.
The Spaniard’s most recent Premier League stint was as Watford F.C manager. Gracia had a respectable spell taking Watford to a FA cup final which had only been achieved one time previously and leading Watford to an 11th-place Premier League finish. However, the success was short-lived as Gracia was sacked just a few games into the 2019/20 premier league season after a series of poor results. Since his stint as Watford manager Gracia has gone on to manage Valencia however this stint was unsuccessful as Gracia was sacked in 2021 after Valencia found themselves just 6 points above the relegation zone. He then went on to manage Al Sadd and was successful in his tenure leading Al Sadd to a league title in Qatar’s top flight. However, a return to England is next on the cards for Gracia with negotiations being ‘easy’ and Gracia signing a flexible contract seemingly happy to prove himself in the short term and then being open to discussing a long-term contract later on.
Gracia’s first game in charge will be a relegation scrap against Southampton this Saturday. Gracia will be looking to have an instant impact against Southampton who faces managerial woes of their own having recently sacked manager, Nathan Jones. Southampton will go into the game full of confidence having picked up a vital and shocking win against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge thanks to a seemingly common James Ward-Prowse free kick. Whatever happens, this game will be a cracker.
So a new manager for Leeds. Fans will hope that along with the appointment of Gracia success and the avoidance of relegation will also follow. Only time will tell but a crucial few months await Leeds and Gracia.
