Javi Gracia set for dramatic return to management in first job since leaving Leeds United

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Former Leeds United manager Javi Gracia looks set to return to management for the first time since leaving his position at Elland Road.

Javi Gracia was parachuted in to steer Leeds clear of relegation after the club parted company with Jesse Marsch in the 2022/23 season.

Despite a promising start to his Premier League survival bid with Leeds, the wheels came off spectacularly under Gracia, and he left before the season ended, being replaced by Sam Allardyce as the Whites drifted towards relegation.

Gracia has been out of work since leaving Leeds in May 2023, as his 12-game stay at the club was brought to a close. Now, he looks set to return to management with a former club in a dramatic return.

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Former Leeds United manager Javi Gracia set for return

According to a report from Sky Sports, Gracia is on the verge of returning to his former club, Watford, in the Championship.

Paulo Pezzolano looks set to leave Vicarage Road, five months after joining the club, having overseen a slow start to the season.

The Hornets have identified Gracia as their number one target to replace him, six years after his last spell in charge of Watford between 2018 and 2019.

The report states: “Watford are set to sack head coach Paulo Pezzolano after just five months in charge – with former boss Javi Gracia in line to replace him. Crunch talks were being held on Tuesday, with the club hierarchy expected to part ways with Pezzolano.”

Before adding: “Gracia, who was previously in charge for 66 games at Watford between January 2018 and September 2019, is the number one target to replace Pezzolano. Gracia was due to fly to England to hold talks.”

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What was Javi Gracia’s record at Leeds?

Gracia enjoyed some success in his first spell with Watford, steering them to an FA Cup final and an 11th-place finish in the 2018/19 Premier League season.

However, he was unable to replicate this success at Elland Road, as he was unable to see out the season after Victor Orta brought him to the club in February to replace Marsch.

Javi Gracia’s record as Leeds manager:

• Played: 12
• Won: 3
• Drew: 2
• Lost: 7
• Goals For: 15
• Goals Against: 30

In his 12 games at Leeds, Gracia won three games, drew two and lost seven, with four defeats in five games at the end of his spell in charge.

It was the nature of those defeats that proved costly, as Leeds conceded 18 goals in five games, culminating in a damaging 4-1 loss away at Bournemouth.