Javi Gracia leaves Elland Road ahead of Leeds United managerial appointment, announcement expected very shortly – Sky Sports News
Javi Gracia has been spotted leaving Elland Road as Leeds United prepare to make an official announcement about their new manager, according to Sky Sports News.
Gracia was seen arriving at the stadium earlier this morning (21 February) after agreeing to become the new manager of Leeds on a deal that initially runs until the end of the season.
With Leeds keen to have him in place before Saturday’s huge Premier League clash with Southampton, Sky Sports reporter Tim Thornton shared that the manager has now left Elland Road after posing with fans for photographs with an official announcement expected “very shortly”.
“He arrived at around about 10:30 this morning here at Elland Road,” he said (Sky Sports News, 14:08).
“Actually in the last few minutes he’s just left Elland Road.
“He stopped for photographs with Leeds supporters who have congregated outside the main entrance, so he’s left in the last few minutes.“We expect this deal to be concluded very shortly and an announcement to be made.”
Done deal
It seems like that’s a done deal now then.
Gracia was a name that nobody was even considering 48 hours ago to be the manager of Leeds, but fans are excited to get him in the dugout now with the hope that he can turn the club’s fortunes around quickly.
He had great success with Watford in his previous tenure in England and the Premier League making the FA Cup final, and even winning trophies in Qatar after taking over from Xavi at Al-Sadd.
There isn’t a lot of time for him to turn things around with just 15 games remaining this season, but there is more than enough quality in this squad to string some results together and get out of it.
The performances have to improve immediately though and Gracia must hit the ground running, but the club have given him time this week to get some ideas across. Hopefully it’s enough.
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