Sky Sports pundit reacts to Javi Gracia sack update amid ‘unthinkable’ Leeds United development
We’re delighted to welcome former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson as our exclusive columnist as each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Leeds United…
Paul Robinson believes Leeds United parting ways with Javi Gracia will give them a “real” chance of staying in the Premier League.
It’s been reported (BBC Sport, 2 May) that the Spaniard is set to lose his job in West Yorkshire, with Sam Allardyce the hot favourite to replace him.
Robinson has suggested Gracia’s appointment was a “strange” move from the board and has admitted he’s been “disappointed” with the former Watford coach.
“I think it gives them a real opportunity [sacking Gracia] to stay in the league and I think the way that they’re going they seem to be sleep-walking towards relegation,” Robinson exclusively told MOT Leeds News.
“The manager for me was a strange appointment in the first place, I don’t think he was their first choice obviously.
“I think, in all honesty, the worst two results this season were away at Anfield and at home to Bournemouth as they kept Jesse Marsch in his job.
“I didn’t think he was the right man for the job at the time. It kept him in his job well before the World Cup and had a new manager come in then, I don’t think they’d be in the situation that they are now. That was the turning point in the season.
“I think conceding the number of goals they have done is unthinkable in a relegation battle. He had a good time at Watford, but he’s run out of ideas at Leeds. Leaving Willy Gnonto out, who was the player of the season, was a strange choice for me.
“His mannerisms and press conferences haven’t convinced me. He’s been disappointing since he’s come in, the team hasn’t played well.
“The system stayed exactly the same and I do think a managerial change could give them a lift. They’ve got a real opportunity to stay in the league and a new manager bounce could give them that lift.”
In other Leeds United news, an exit-bound senior player was spotted in tears after what happened recently.