Cogs in The Football Association’s administrative process may continue to whir on Javi Gracia’s work permit, but plans are in place for who he will bring with him to Leeds United. Rene Maric, Cameron Toshack and Pierre Barrieu all followed Jesse Marsch out of Thorp Arch when the American was sacked at the start of the month.
That has left a threadbare coaching unit at the training ground to welcome Gracia once his paperwork has gone through, clearing him to work. Michael Skubala, Paco Gallardo and Chris Armas had been leading the senior side through the transition, alongside goalkeeping coach Marcos Abad and sports scientist Tom Robinson.
As reported by The Athletic, Skubala will continue in a first-team role under Gracia, while Gallardo will now take chief control of the under-21s. He will be assisted by Michal Pujdak, who had been leading the youngsters in Skubala’s absence.
READ MORE: Javi Gracia's Leeds United work permit explained as Whites boss faces Southampton uncertainty
Armas, despite his historical ties to Marsch, and Abad will continue in senior roles on Gracia’s backroom staff. The former Watford boss will also bring three new faces with him.
Zigor Aranalde, who spent time with Walsall, Sheffield Wednesday and Carlisle United as a player, will be Gracia’s assistant. The 49-year-old was also Gracia’s number two with the Hornets, Valencia and Al Sadd.
Juan Solla, who has worked under Gracia at 10 other clubs, will also sign on with the Whites as a part of the backroom team at Elland Road. There is a third Spaniard arriving too, who has not worked with Gracia on a coaching basis before.
Mikel Antia, who has previously worked in the Premier League as a part of Rafa Benitez’s staff at Newcastle United, has returned to England with Gracia. The pair played together at Real Sociedad in the late 1990s.
Antia has been out of work since leaving Major League Soccer outfit Charlotte FC when head coach Miguel Angel Ramirez was sacked in May 2022. Antia also worked with Benitez at Dalian Professional in Chinese Super League.
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