Leeds United have appointed Javi Gracia as the club’s new head coach - subject to him obtaining a work permit.
The Elland Road club announced the news on Tuesday afternoon with Garcia signing a flexible contract. The 52-year-old has been out of work since June 2022, when he was replaced at Qatari outfit Al Sadd by one of Pep Guardiola’s former assistants, Juan Manuel Lillo.
Since retiring from playing and moving into management, he has taken charge of a number of teams in Europe including Osasuna, Malaga, Watford and Valencia. The Spaniard arrives at Leeds with the club 19th in the Premier League on two wins from their last 20 matches.
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Michael Skubala has overseen three matches as caretaker boss and was in charge of Saturday’s game at Goodison Park. Seamus Coleman’s second-half strike was enough to hand Everton a huge 1-0 win.
“The club hope Gracia’s first game in charge of the Whites will be Saturday’s Premier League clash against Southampton at Elland Road, subject to obtaining the necessary work permissions,” a statement from Leeds read.
Leeds are currently two points behind Everton in the Premier League table, and one ahead of bottom-placed Southampton.
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