Javi Gracia seemed uncertain about his Leeds United future following Sunday’s heavy 4-1 loss to Bournemouth at Dean Court. The Whites knew that only a win would do against the Cherries if they were to breathe life into their hopes of achieving Premier League survival.
However, the result on the south coast has left the Whites staring down the barrel of relegation and with just four fixtures remaining, it seems there are major doubts about whether Gracia will be able to halt the slide. The head coach only arrived at Elland Road at the end of February and after collecting three wins from his opening six games, it seemed as though he was making a strong case for himself to take the job on a permanent basis in the summer.
The Spaniard has only been able to watch on, though, as United’s form has well and truly deserted them. Leeds have lost four of their last five outings in the top flight run-in, conceding 18 goals along the way and while they remain outside the Premier League’s relegation zone at present, recent results could prove to be costly.
Read more: Wober's anger, Dallas returns, supporters' patience runs out and Leeds United moments missed
Such a collapse and the manner of Sunday’s defeat has seen Gracia’s position come under scrutiny and the 53-year-old couldn’t provide the answers when asked about his future after the game.
“If I'm here, I suppose, I suppose,” he simply said when asked whether he felt the board would trust him to turn the ship around over the four remaining games.
It was an answer that spoke volumes about his uncertainty and it seems the club’s hierarchy have gathered to think long and hard about their next steps. According to the Daily Telegraph, the board have been in talks throughout Monday morning with Gracia’s future at the club at the top of the agenda.
With just four games remaining, the report claims they are considering the viability of sacking the Spaniard in favour of making a short-term appointment for the final four games of the season, with first-team coach Michael Skubala one of the options mentioned. Skubala, who is highly thought of at Thorp Arch, took charge of three first-team games before the appointment of Gracia, but managed to win just one point from three games.
Whoever is in charge at Elland Road during the final month of the campaign, they will have the unenviable task of trying to take points off Manchester City, Newcastle United, West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur.
READ NEXT:
Javi Gracia's message to supporters after Leeds United's heavy loss at Bournemouth
Leeds United player ratings as Meslier and McKennie struggle in bleak Bournemouth battering
- Leeds United injury list in full amid Luis Sinisterra worry ahead of Bournemouth clash
Leeds United and Javi Gracia running out of time and answers as relegation threat looms large
- Leeds United chairman Andrea Radrizzani's purported 'responsibility' message as slide continues
