Javi Gracia doesn’t want Chris Armas on Leeds United backroom staff as Elland Road mystery deepens
Javi Gracia doesn’t want Chris Armas on his coaching staff at Leeds United and is unsure what the American’s situation is right now.
Leeds hired Armas in late January to join Jesse Marsch’s backroom team but within weeks of his arrival, Marsch had been relieved of his duties at Elland Road.
Armas survived the exodus of coaching staff and worked alongside Michael Skubala before Gracia was eventually hired last month.
Since then, there’s not been any official word on Armas and Gracia doesn’t seem any the wiser as to what’s happening with Marsch’s former ally too, confirming that he doesn’t want or need him on his team.
“He’s not part of my staff. He’s not here and that’s maybe something the club can explain better,” Gracia said, as quoted by LeedsLive on Thursday (9 March).
“I have enough staff, we have people who came with me and then we have Michael, they are working with us day in, day out.”
Brutal
It’s ridiculous that Leeds let Marsch hire Armas.
Even when he arrived in late January, pressure was mounting on Marsch and allowing him to bring in another coach was just a dumb move.
You can’t blame Marsch for wanting another ally but you can blame Victor Orta and Angus Kinnear for sanctioning the behind-the-scenes appointment.
It feels as though Armas was kept around because Leeds felt bad for him.
He’d moved from the USA to West Yorkshire to be told he’s not wanted two weeks later. That wasn’t going to happen, was it?
We’re unsure what the situation with Armas is now with his whereabouts a complete mystery.
Gracia might know himself but it’s true when he says that it’s a question for the club to answer because it’s their mistake and their decision on what goes on with a member of the previous regime.
What a mess. We feel sorry for the guy.
In other Leeds United news, a regular first-team starter is in line for a cut-price exit after familiar contract issues.
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