Leeds United have appointed coach Javi Gracia as their new manager on a ‘flexible contract’ to replace Jesse Marsch, the Premier League club said on Tuesday.
The appointment of former Valencia and Watford is subject to obtaining a work permit.
Marsch was sacked on February 6 after a poor run of form left the club in a relegation battle.
Leeds are 19th in the standings with 19 points from 23 games and face bottom club Southampton on Saturday.
“Leeds United are delighted to announce the club have agreed terms with Javi Gracia to become men’s first team head coach, subject to obtaining a work permit,” a club statement read.
Born in Spain, Gracia, 52 had a successful playing career for Valladolid, Real Sociedad, Villarreal and Cordoba.
Since retiring and moving into management, he has taken charge of a number of teams in Europe including Osasuna, Malaga, Watford and Valencia.
No stranger to the top-flight of English football, Javi Gracia replaced Marco Silva at Watford in January 2018, with the club five points above the drop zone. He went on to help the club secure their Premier League status with games to spare, as they finished 14th, eight points above the relegation places.
In his first full season in charge at Vicarage Road, he was named the Manager of the Month in August 2019 and guided the Hornets to an 11th placed finish, their highest ever in the Premier League.
He also led the club to the 2019 FA Cup final, for just the second time in the club’s history.
