Leeds United are one of England’s most renowned football clubs and have an expert coaching staff beside manager Javi Gracia. But who features among the Spaniard’s crew?
Manager: Javi Gracia
Leeds United currently have Javi Gracia as their first-team manager, who succeeded Jesse Marsch after he was sacked during the middle of the 2022-23 campaign.
Gracia has previous Premier League experience after managing Watford and has also endured success in La Liga with Malaga.
However – he began his coaching career in 2004 with Club Polideportivo Ejido. He has since managed a number of Spanish clubs, including Cádiz, Villarreal, Málaga, and Valencia. Gracia has also coached internationally, leading the national team of Georgia.
He is currently on a “flexible contract”, which is understood to be the initial commitment to the end of the season.
Assistant Manager: Zigor Aranalde
Zigor Aranalde has been Javi Gracia’s right-hand man since they first worked together for Watford in the Premier League back in 2018.
Both were fired on 8 September 2019, continuing to work together at Valencia, Al Sadd SC and now at Elland Road.
The Spaniard also has previous Premier League experience in a scouting role – where he was appointed chief scout for Brighton in 2013, which was a promotion from a regular scout when he was appointed in 2012.
Assistant Manager: Mikel Antia
The third Spaniard already in the coaching ranks is Mikel Antia, who left his role as assistant manager for Charlotte FC in the MLS to pursue an assistant manager role at Leeds.
He, once again, is no stranger to the Premier League. He was Rafa Benitez’s right-hand man during his time at Newcastle United, where he lasted just 38 games at the helm.
He also has some experience in the Spanish leagues, once again in the assistant manager role at both UD Almeria and Real Union.
Assistant Manager: Michael Skubula
The third and final assistant manager is Michael Skubula – who has a fine footballing CV.
He has experience as an assistant manager for the England U18 side, Leeds U21s plus Coventry City and Nottingham Forest’s youth sides.
He also currently works for UEFA as a strategic advisor, alongside his role for the Whites.
Goalkeeping Coach: Marcos Abad
The first team goalkeeping coach is Marcos Abad, who was present at the club before Gracia’s arrival.
He joined the club on July 3rd 2017, following a short spell at Middlesbrough. He also has experience at two Spanish clubs, CD Alcoyano where he began, before departing for Elche where he spent seven years of his career.
Abad’s contract at Leeds United is set to expire on June 30th 2025.
Fitness Coach: Ruben Crespo
The first of the fitness coaches is Spanish-born 36-year-old Ruben Crespo.
He has more than 14 years of experience under his belt and has enjoyed spells at many clubs before joining the Leeds team on July 1st 2018 – including Celta Vigo and Hull City.
Fitness Coach: Juan Solla
Juan Solla is the other fitness coach – who is also a very good advocate of Gracia.
The coach has followed him everywhere since their time at Watford and has followed suit once again up to Elland Road.
Chief Analyst: Guillermo Sebastián Alonso Salinas
Chief Analyst Guillermo Sebastián Alonso Salinas is also known as ‘Willy’ at Elland Road.
He has been at the club since the 1st of July 2019, when he was appointed following a spell at Middlesbrough.
Trainer Scout: Chris Armas
Chris Armas, Leeds’ trainer scout, also has experience managing. The 50-year-old American has experience in the MLS for New York Red Bulls and Toronto.
He also, controversially, was assistant manager for Manchester United as the assistant manager of Ralf Rangnick.
He was assistant manager under Marsch and actually became interim manager following his sacking – before assuming the new role of trainer scout in February 2023.
All information was derived from Trasnfermarkt.