Last Update: February 21, 2023, 22:09 IST
Leeds on Tuesday announced the appointment of former Watford boss Javi Gracia as the new manager of the relegation-threatened Premier League club.
The Spaniard, who led the Hornets to the 2019 FA Cup final, has signed what Leeds described as a “flexible” contract to replace Jesse Marsh, who was sacked on 6 February.
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Leeds were hoping to make a rapid declaration but missed out on several top goals.
“Leeds United are delighted to announce that the club have agreed terms with Javi Gracia to become head coach of the men’s first team, subject to obtaining a work permit,” the club said in a statement.
“The experienced 52-year-old has agreed a flexible contract at Elland Road.”
Marsh was sacked by Leeds after a 1–0 defeat at Nottingham Forest.
Under-21 manager Michael Skubala has since been in interim charge, even though club owner Andrea Radrizani initially promised a quick appointment.
They last won a match in the Premier League on 5 November and are 19th in the table, just one point above bottom club Southampton, who they host on Saturday.
Gracia took Watford to the FA Cup final in 2019, which they lost 6–0 to Manchester City, but was sacked at the start of the following season after a poor start to the Premier League campaign.
He has since managed Valencia and Al Sadd in Qatar.
The hunt for Marsh’s replacement was met with several setbacks. Talks broke down with former Ajax boss Alfred Schrader, Rayo Vallecano blocked a move for Andoni Iraola and Arne Slott opted to stay at Feyenoord after being approached.
Carlos Corberon, who previously worked under Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds, signed a new contract with West Brom, while in Argentina it was reported that former River Plate boss Marcelo Gallardo has ruled himself out of the running.
Leeds, two points from safety, are without a win in their last 10 league matches.
The club, which won the English top flight in 1992, were kicked out of the Premier League in 2004 and did not return until 2020.
This is their second successive relegation battle, having only preserved their elite status on the final day of last season’s campaign.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)