Fabrizio Romano shares why Leeds United took Javi Gracia after ‘many’ approaches to other managers
Javi Gracia got the Leeds United manager role over the “many” other candidates approached because he has a “low profile” and can help with players’ mentality, Fabrizio Romano reports.
The Spaniard was finally appointed on Tuesday (21 February) with more than two weeks, and three Premier League matches, having passed since the sacking of Jesse Marsch on 6 February.
The club reportedly made contact with 52-year-old early on in the search [Sky Sports, 21 February] after failing in their attempts for the likes of Andoni Iraola and Carlos Corberan, but the loss at Everton forced them to make a decisive move.
And amid numerous names, including Marcelo Gallardo, Arne Slot, Rafael Benitez and Alfred Schreuder, being linked, Romano has shared what got the former Watford man the job.
Writing in his Wednesday Substack column for Caught Offside the Italian reports: “Leeds approached many managers but Gracia is considered the right man to help with experience, low profile and change the mental approach of the players.
“That is why they decided to proceed with him rather than any other manager.”
Better late than never
On paper the appointment makes sense, but on paper this Leeds United side should have already recorded more than four top flight wins this season.
So until tangible improvement is seen on the pitch and points are put on the board it won’t mean a great deal, but after the bombast of Marsch it might be the more understated approach of Gracia that is more effective.
Michael Skubala is hardly overbearing in his personality and that translated into a meek surrender at Goodison Park on Saturday (18 February), but as a caretaker boss thrust into the top job he cannot be judged too harshly.
In theory it is the mental side of things that needs lifting for these players, because all too often they have done enough to dominate proceedings and come away empty handed.
If Gracia can rectify that he will go a long way to achieving his key objective of avoiding relegation, and his profile seems to fit for the current situation given his history at Watford.
But he needs to get in and working as soon as possible to have a chance of getting results in time, and his work permit delay is not helping in that regard.
He arrives under immediate pressure to perform and knows that he wasn’t one of the top options, but if he can get the job done in the final four months he will likely put himself in the conversation for the long-term role.
In other Leeds United news, Jim White sees problems on the horizon for the club despite finally landing a manager.