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Oliver Jones

Key sign why Javi Gracia appointment could save Leeds United from Premier League relegation

Former Watford manager Javi Gracia's previous managerial record with the Hornets could be the key to saving Leeds United's season with the Whites teetering on relegation.

Leeds are yet to appoint a permanent manager two weeks after showing former boss Jesse Marsch the door and, after slipping into the bottom three over the weekend, are being threatened with dropping down to the Championship.

However, Gracia's time at Watford proved that with a weaker squad, the Spaniard can secure safety and much more, experience that the Whites will certainly need if they want to stay up.

READ MORE: Who is Javi Gracia? Ex-Watford boss that's a 'serious candidate' for Leeds United manager vacancy

In his 66 matches in charge at Vicarage Road, Gracia won 25 and drew 13 of them, giving him 88 points across his time with the club and an average points per game of 1.33.

With Leeds having 15 games left in their season, if they were to appoint Gracia before the Southampton clash this weekend and followed the Spaniard's historical Premier League record, they'd finish on 39 points and would have a good chance of safety.

Many fans and pundits often cite the 40-point mark as the golden standard of safety from relegation and anything above that for teams expected to finish in the bottom-half is a bonus.

In fact, 39 points would actually be one point better than what the Whites managed at the end of last season, and would see them stay in the Premier League in nine of the last ten seasons (with 2016-17 the one exception).

With the Spaniard reported to be in talks with Leeds over the position, it could be the smart option for the owners to make after what has certainly been a tough past few weeks for the club and fans alike.

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