Javi Gracia replaces Jesse Marsch

Leeds United have hired former Watford manager Javi Gracia to succeed Jesse Marsch as their new head coach.

Leeds have confirmed that the 52-year-old Spaniard coach has been appointed as their manager following the dismissal of Jesse Marsch on February 6. The club describes this contract as "flexible". The initial agreement is until the season ends.

The former Watford manager, during the 2018-19 season, kept Watford in the Premier League and also led the club to the FA Cup finals. After being defeated at Everton this past Saturday, Leeds is now in the Premier League’s relegation zone. The team has high hopes from Garcia, as his debut game will be against Southampton on Saturday.

On December 7, 2021, Garcia signed a contract with Al-Sadd SC, but in spite of winning the Qatari League with Al-Sadd last season, he was dismissed on June 15, 2022.

The player-turned-coach has been a part of many leagues since 2004.

Career as a coach:

Clubs	Appointed	In charge until
Leeds United	Feb 25, 2023	Flexible
Al-Sadd SC	Dec 7, 2021	Jun 15, 2022
Valencia	Jul 27, 2020	May 3, 2021
Watford	Jan 21, 2018	Sep 7, 2019
Rubin Kazan	May 27, 2016	Jun 8, 2017
Malaga CF	Jul 1, 2014	May 26, 2016
CA Osasuna	Sep 4, 2013	Jun 30, 2014
UD Almeria	Jul 1, 2012	Jun 30, 2013
AO Kerkyra	Nov 14, 2011	Mar 28, 2012
Olymp. Volou	Jun 7, 2011	Aug 24, 2011
Villarreal CF B	Jul 1, 2010	May 13, 2011
Cadiz CF	Jul 1, 2008	Jan 9, 2010
Pontevedra	Mar 20, 2007	Jun 30, 2008
Villarreal Yth.	Jul 1, 2004	Jun 30, 2005

Career as a player:

Date	Left	Joined
Jul 1, 2004	Cordoba CF	Retired
Jan 31, 2003	Villarreal CF	Cordoba CF
Aug 1, 1999	Real Sociedad	Real Valladolid CF
Jul 1, 1995	Real Valladolid CF	Real Sociedad
Jul 1, 1993	Athletic Bilbao B	Real Valladolid Deportivo
Jun 30, 1993	UE Lleida	Athletic Bilbao B
Jul 1, 1992	Athletic Bilbao B	UE Lleida
Jul 1, 1989	Athletic Bilbao U19	Athletic Bilbao B