Leeds Utd Appoint Gracia AS New Coach

Leeds United have agreed terms with former Watford boss Javi Gracia to replace Jesse Marsch as manager.

Marsch was sacked on 6 February but Leeds have faced several setbacks in their hunt for his replacement.

Spaniard Gracia, 52, took Watford to the FA Cup final in 2019, before managing Valencia and Qatari club Al Sadd.

Leeds are 19th in the Premier League and host bottom club Southampton in their next game on Saturday.

The club say Gracia has been appointed on a “flexible contract” and will take charge of the side against Saints “subject to obtaining the necessary work permissions”.

Under-21s boss Michael Skubala has been in interim charge since Marsch’s sacking.

despite club owner Andrea Radrizzani initially promising a quick appointment.

An approach for Rayo Vallecano’s Andoni Iraola was blocked, while Feyenoord’s Arne Slot ruled himself out.

Former Ajax manager Alfred Schreuder fell out of contention after a negative reaction from many fans, and Carlos Corberan – who previously worked under Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds – signed a new contract at West Brom.