Chris Armas is not part of Leeds United’s first-team coaching staff, Javi Gracia has confirmed. The American has not been seen since Gracia’s arrival at the club last month and the head coach has stated he is not a member of his backroom staff at Thorp Arch.
Armas only arrived at Leeds in January after agreeing to join his compatriot and former teammate Jesse Marsch in the dugout at Elland Road. He was assistant to Marsch and he helped oversee the club’s FA Cup fourth round win over Accrington Stanley at the Crown Ground just a few days after linking up with the Whites.
However, Marsch was dismissed following the loss at Nottingham Forest a week later and while a several members of his backroom team departed with him, including Rene Maric and Cameron Toshack, Armas stayed. The American was part of a three-man interim team, alongside Michael Skubala and Paco Gallardo, who were asked to steady the ship while the hunt for a new head coach progressed.
Read more: Javi Gracia provides Georginio Rutter assessment amid striker's price tag debate
But, while Skubala has been permanently promoted to the first-team in recent weeks to work alongside Gracia, Juan Solla, Zigor Aranalde and Mikel Antia, Armas has been conspicuous by his absence. Gracia has given an update of sorts on his situation.
“He’s not part of my staff,” the Spaniard said. “When I came, I came with three, Juan, Zigor and Mikel and there were other people at the club working before my arrival. He’s not here and maybe the club can explain better.”
Asked if he was looking to add to his backroom staff, Gracia added: “I have enough staff. We have the people who came with me from Spain and in the club we have people like Michael, like Marcos (Abad), there are people working with us day in, day out and we don’t need more help.”
READ NEXT:
Leeds United have Premier League survival lessons to learn from 2022 escape act
Diogo Monteiro making Leeds United impression as training ground conduct and potential outlined
Leeds United's ominous Brighton warning as Roberto De Zerbi promises more to come from Seagulls
Leeds United's Premier League challenge laid bare as relegation rivals' run-ins ranked
