Leeds United were ‘all done’ to hire Andoni Iraola before they moved for Javi Gracia – Sky Sports pundit
We’re delighted to welcome former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson as our exclusive columnist as each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Leeds United…
Paul Robinson has suggested Andoni Iraola to Leeds United was “all done” before the board hired Javi Gracia as their new head coach.
The former Watford boss was announced as the Whites’ new boss on Tuesday afternoon, signing a flexible contract with the Yorkshire club.
Iraola was reportedly the board’s first choice after Jesse Marsch’s sacking and Robinson has suggested there wasn’t a backup plan beyond the Rayo Vallecano manager.
“Initially I think it’s a decent appointment from what they were left with. I think the whole thing has been far from ideal,” Robinson exclusively told MOT Leeds News.
“My personal opinion is that Jesse Marsch should have gone in November or December before the World Cup.”They had two games, Liverpool away which they won and Bournemouth at home and those were the last two games the club won and kept him in a job.
“Had either of those results not happened I suspect he would’ve gone before the World Cup, a new manager would’ve come in and we would’ve been in a different situation.
“I think they would’ve had more chance of landing Iraola if they had sacked Jesse earlier and I think they probably thought they had him and that’s why Marsch was gone.
“But I don’t think they had a backup plan beyond the Rayo Vallecano manager. From what I’m led to believe that’s the direction they wanted to go in and that was all done.
“He’s had such a good season and results at Vallecano it was hard to get him out of the club. The price to get him out of the club had changed.”
Gracia’s first match in charge is a must-win clash against Southampton on Saturday, with the Saints now just one place below Leeds in the Premier League standings.
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