Leeds United sacked manager after just 12 games on his birthday and it ‘hurt’ a lot

Add as preferred source on Google

Plenty of managers have come and gone over the years at Elland Road, largely thanks to Massimo Cellino’s era and his trigger-happy approach to firing and hiring Leeds United managers.

The likes of Dave Hockaday, Darko Milanic, Steve Evans, Neil Redfearn and more took charge of Leeds during Cellino’s era. But his cost-cutting at Elland Road meant there was never any chance of success.

The revolving door eventually stopped when Leeds made the left-field decision to appoint Marcelo Bielsa. A move that has changed Leeds since he stepped foot in at Elland Road, taking them back to the top.

Even now, Leeds are battling at the top of the Championship and that is largely because Bielsa took a side struggling in mid-table and without spending big, got Leeds into ninth in the Premier League table.

• READ MORE: £7m Leeds United target celebrates selection over Aaronson with winning goal

Javi Gracia says Leeds United sacked him on his 53rd birthday

Following Bielsa, Leeds returned their normal ways. Jesse Marsch, then Michael Skubala on an interim basis, then Javi Gracia, then Sam Allardyce, then Daniel Farke all in the space of little over two years.

Gracia only managed Leeds for 12 games, inheriting a mess left by Marsch but unable to provide the telling touch that would keep Leeds in the Premier League. He was sacked after defeat to Bournemouth.

He told The Athletic after his sacking: “It was my birthday, May 1. It was a phone call. I can honestly say it has been an enriching experience. It’s been a very intense period. It hurt me a lot to lose my job.”

Javi Gracia’s 12 games, two years after taking Leeds United job

It is just over two years since Gracia was in charge, joining the club towards the end of February and taking charge of 12 games before he was relieved of his duties and replaced by Allardyce for the last four.

His best moments came in his first game, a 1-0 win over Southampton thanks to Junior Firpo’s winner. The 4-2 away at Wolves in which Rasmus Kristensen came off the bench to score, and Forest at home.

But there were also the defeats to Crystal Palace, Liverpool and Bournemouth. 5-1, 6-1 and 4-1. It was a poor record in truth, averaging less than a point but by that point, impossible thanks to Marsch’s time.