Victor Orta deserves credit for genius Javi Gracia manager call at Leeds United
Victor Orta’s decision to appoint Javi Gracia as Leeds United manager came on the back of a lengthy and frustrating process, but the sporting director deserves to be credited with what is starting to look like a masterstroke.
After Jesse Marsch was relieved of his duties following the dire defeat to Nottingham Forest in February, Orta went through an all-to-lengthy appointment process that saw the likes of Andoni Iraola, Arne Slot and Carlos Corberán all be approached in relation to the job at Elland Road.
However, in the end it was former Watford boss Gracia who was awarded the job, and the manager has looked well at home ever since.
Although the Whites are still embroiled in a relegation dogfight and currently sit just two points above the relegation zone, there is a sense of calm in Gracia that couldn’t be said about his predecessor.
Under Marsch, Leeds were an unpredictable entity, blowing away Chelsea 3-0 one week but falling to a 5-2 defeat to Brentford a fortnight later.
The scattergun approach under Marsch had its moments, but overall the club failed to see any consistent rewards, with the American not winning a league game in the three months before his sacking.
The turnaround under Gracia has not been groundbreaking, but as shared by Opta Joe on Twitter, Leeds have managed as many wins in their last six Premier League games (3) as they had in their previous 22 matches this term.
The 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest on Tuesday (4 April) was evidence of the cool, calm and composed nature that Gracia has brought to the Elland Road dugout as his side battled from behind to nick all three points.
Orta has had his fair share of critics over the past year, especially during the frivolous managerial selection process that seemed to go on for years – but in the end, it looks like he got the decision spot on, and he must be credited for this call.
If Leeds United manage to stave off Premier League relegation this season, the next question that Orta must tackle is whether to hand Gracia the full-time job in West Yorkshire.
Orta got the decision right to bring Gracia through the door, but now an even bigger question awaits on the horizon.
In other Leeds United news, a teenager now looks closer than ever to his debut after what he did at Thorp Arch during the international break with Javi Gracia taking note.
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