49ers want say on next Leeds United manager with Javi Gracia exit speculation emerging already
CBS journalist Ben Jacobs has suggested Javi Gracia’s job at Leeds United won’t be safe even if he keeps the Yorkshire side in the Premier League.
The 52-year-old was appointed as the club’s new head coach on a “flexible” contract on Tuesday (21 February) after the board missed out on a number of their top managerial targets.
However, Jacobs has claimed Leeds could look to land one of their number-one candidates in the summer, with the 49ers wanting a say in who will take charge of the club long-term.
“If they secure their Premier League status – and therein lies the paradox – because if Leeds stay up, then Gracia you know, shouldn’t really be replaced. Surely because he’ll have done his job. But I do think that leads to Leeds keeping their options open,” Jacobs told TEAMtalk (23 February).
“That is, ultimately, why the contract is flexible, because they don’t yet know what’s going to happen with their league status.
“And we also have to bear in mind that if everything still goes according to plan, 49ers Enterprises will be coming in and taking full ownership of Leeds United.
“And as the full owner of Leeds United, should that progress, they will also want their say on who is in charge of Leeds United, both now and in the long run.”
Likely
This scenario does feel very likely and unless there’s a significant upturn in form under Gracia, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Leeds embroiled in another manager hunt come the summer. If the Whites narrowly avoid relegation there’s a chance the board will want to look elsewhere come the end of the season.
It would feel harsh to see the 52-year-old leave the club if he did secure Leeds’ survival, but due to him signing a flexible contract, it’s something he’s left himself open to. He’s been given an unenviable task at Elland Road, but the rewards could be great if he manages to produce a consistent run of winning form.
The squad he’s inheriting has talent, there’s no doubt about that. He simply has to make Leeds more watertight defensively. It’s a baptism of fire for the Spaniard this weekend as he faces a must-win game against Southampton at Elland Road.
A win could take Leeds out of the bottom three come Saturday evening, however, a defeat will leave Gracia’s men propping up the Premier League table.
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