Journalist reveals what Javi Gracia told him about Willy Gnonto after Leeds United sacking
Javi Gracia did not buckle to pressure from Leeds United fans and the media when finally handed youngster Willy Gnonto a starting role before his dismissal, according to The Athletic’s Adam Crafton.
Gnonto largely watched on from the bench under the Spaniard, before finally being bright into the starting XI for the clash with Bournemouth on Sunday (30 April).
The decision to constantly omit the attacker baffled many supporters, but former Leeds boss Gracia has now admitted that Gnonto was handed minutes due to tactical and injury reasons.
“Mostly as we had limited time and he was asked about it lots during his time there,” Crafton wrote for The Athletic.
“I did ask whether he finally put him in to the team due to media/fan pressure and he said no it was due to tactics/injuries. He also said the player has huge potential for the future.”
Bright future
Gracia didn’t get much right during his brief tenure at Leeds, but he is right in saying that there is a bright future ahead for Gnonto.
But whether that future is at Elland Road remains to be seen, with the young winger continuously linked with a summer exit.
He enjoyed a superb start to life in England following his move from FC Zurich, with the Italian international immediately hitting the ground running at his new club with some key goals and assists.
But those have dried up in recent times, primarily due to the teenager constantly being overlooked by Gracia, much to the anger of basically the entire Leeds fanbase.
He will not want to be playing Championship football next season, even though he would be a guaranteed starter every week.
Fortunately there is a new man in the dugout, with supporters expecting Sam Allardyce to give Gnonto a key role in his starting XI in the weeks to come.
In other Leeds United news, Gary Lineker has provided his reaction to the appointment of Allardyce as the club’s new head coach for the remainder of the season.