Javi Gracia has been named the new head coach of Leeds United at Elland Road. The 52-year-old has agreed to a flexible deal.
Following the resignation of Jesse Marsch more than two weeks ago, Leeds announced on Tuesday afternoon that conditions had been agreed upon Antonio Gracia to become their new manager.
With his “flexible contract” signed, the 52-year-old should be in the dugout for Saturday afternoon’s Premier League match at Elland Road against Southampton, the club hopes.
Reviving a faltering Leeds team that hasn’t won a Premier League match since early November is Gracia’s goal as the former manager of Watford. Although things are difficult for Whites supporters now that the team has entered the relegation zone for the first time this season, Gracia has a track record of leading strong teams to victory.
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You can read our profile of Gracia, the new manager of Leeds, below to learn everything there is to know about her.
Who is this guy?
After beginning his playing career with Athletic Bilbao’s reserve squad, Gracia assisted Lleda in 1993 as they made their 40-year journey back to La Liga.
The former defensive midfielder played for Real Valladolid and Real Sociedad in the Spanish top division for six seasons each.
After that, he went back to the second division and won promotion to Villarreal in La Liga right away. Closing his playing career at Cordoba, Gracia made 229 appearances in the top division after a 15-year career.
The Spaniard began his coaching career in the junior system of Villarreal before taking on his first managerial position at Pontevedra, a third-tier team.
During his two seasons in charge, Gracia turned Pontevedra into a team that was competitive for promotion, but he was just barely not successful. With Cadiz, he eventually gained promotion in 2009, but the following season, when they were relegated back to the third division, he lost his job.
Gracia briefly played for Olympiakos Volou and Kerkyra in Greece after returning to Villarreal, and then she traveled back to Spain with Osasuna.
He was relegated after his one season at Osasuna, although he continued in La Liga with Malaga. In his two seasons as manager, he led them to top half finishes.
After several months without a job, Gracia spent a season in Russia with Rubin Kazan before taking over as Watford’s manager in place of Marco Silva. In addition to finishing 11th in his lone full season at Vicarage Road, he led them to their first FA Cup final in thirty-five years.
They then lost 6-0 at Wembley to Manchester City, and Gracia was fired following a dismal start to the next season, as is frequently the case at Watford.
After leaving Watford, Gracia managed Valencia for less than a year before spending a brief time with Al Sadd and winning the Qatar Stars League.
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