Leeds United have confirmed the appointment of one-time Watford boss Javi Gracia as they look to kickstart a survival fight, beginning at home to Southampton at the weekend.
The Yorkshire outfit currently sit 19th in the Premier League following a narrow 1-0 loss at Goodison Park to Everton, who leapfrogged them in the process. And, despite spending well over £100m across the last two transfer windows, there are serious concerns that they may find themselves in the Championship next season.
Gracia will bring Premier League experience, having managed Watford in the past, where he reached the FA Cup final with the Hornets, as well as guiding them to an 11th placed finish, which remains their highest ever in the Premier League.
‘The experienced 52-year-old has agreed a flexible contract at Elland Road’, an official announcement revealed, with said contract expected to be dependent on their Premier League survival.
📰 #LUFC is delighted to announce the club have agreed terms with Javi Gracia to become head coach, subject to obtaining a work permit
— Leeds United (@LUFC) February 21, 2023
His first task will be a mammoth one, welcoming Southampton to Elland Road in another relegation six-pointer, which Leeds ‘hope’ will be his first game in the dugout, though they acknowledge that this is ‘subject to obtaining the necessary work permissions’.
Should managerless Southampton come away from Yorkshire with three points, it would leave Leeds bottom of the table, two points from safety after 24 games, and staring down the barrel of relegation from, the top flight after a three-year stay.
