Reacquaintances will have to wait and a text message will have to suffice, but experience teaches Rodrigo Leeds United are in good hands with Javi Gracia. The Whites ended their search for Jesse Marsch’s permanent successor with the appointment of the Spaniard on Tuesday, but the wait goes on for a formal introduction to the players.
While Gracia has to wait for the paperwork on his work permit to go through before getting to officially work with the squad, Rodrigo is the one player in the United camp with previous, if limited, experience working under him. Gracia was in charge at Valencia during the summer Rodrigo wanted to move to Elland Road.
There were just two or three weeks of pre-season training with the former Watford chief, but the Spain international, who has already reached out with a message of congratulations, remains grateful for Gracia’s understanding in a difficult situation. The striker wanted to leave right when the new head coach was getting his feet under the table.
READ MORE: Leeds United's new backroom staff set for Newcastle-Benitez flavour under Javi Gracia
“The season I came here, was the year he arrived at Valencia,” Rodrigo told LeedsLive. “So I worked with him for the first two or three weeks of the pre-season. It was a good experience.
“At that time, it was a personal thing he understood my moment and my feeling I would like to move. To try something different, move to a different team [and] try a new challenge in my career.
“I'm really grateful to him for his understanding at that time. The three weeks I worked with him were good. It was great. We worked really hard with him, with his staff, people that understand football.
“It was a more physical part of the season, the first weeks. I didn't play any games with him, but he will help us a lot.”
Gracia arrived at Watford in January 2018 and steadied the ship after a run of dire form under wantaway predecessor Marco Silva. In his only full season at Vicarage Road, Gracia led the team to 11th, their highest league finish since 1987, and an FA Cup final.
“It’s really, really important he already has a good experience in the Premier League, especially in the moment we are now, almost in the last part of the season,” said Rodrigo. “So he already knows how things work in this league and this is a really positive point.
“We need to try to help him to adapt himself as quickly as possible to the team, to the club, to everything. He will help us a lot and I'm really confident we will finish this season well.”
Gracia’s arrival will bring an end to Michael Skubala’s stewardship. While he is well-liked by the squad and rated highly for what he did in a short space of time, Rodrigo sees merits in the stability a permanent appointment brings.
“The stability, not just in football, in any profession, in any job, is something really important,” he said. “In football, this is no different, so we have to thank Skoobs (Skubala) for the time he tried to help us.
“It wasn’t an easy situation. Two games in a row against Man United. He managed really well in a really difficult game against Everton away, we always know that is a difficult place to go, like we knew from last season.
“Of course, it's important. As I said to you, he will help us a lot. Now is the moment to keep working hard, keep working together, keep being positive and start winning games and getting points.”
READ NEXT:
Promotions, titles, and Valencia 'betrayal' - Javi Gracia route to becoming Leeds United head coach
Javi Gracia's Leeds United work permit explained as Whites boss faces Southampton uncertainty
Rodrigo sets Leeds United timescale for early return from ankle surgery after FA Cup setback
Gallery: Leeds United's season so far with big signings, shock wins, relegation form, new boss
Georginio Rutter and Brenden Aaronson among Leeds United players Javi Gracia can galvanise
