Michael Skubala will remain with the Leeds United first-team following the appointment of Javi Gracia, with The Telegraph hinting that he is unlikely to return to his role with the under-21s.
Skubala is one of the few people associated with Leeds who has emerged from the last couple of weeks with any credit. He was initially named as one of the interim bosses in the wake of Jesse Marsch’s departure.
Skubala has emerged as the face of the management team for the last three games. And he has done a decent job, with Leeds producing good displays against Manchester United. There was also little blame placed on his shoulders following the abject showing against Everton at the weekend.
Skubala set to stay with Leeds first-team
But that loss appears to have sped up the process of finding a permanent successor for Marsch. The Telegraph reports that Gracia emerged as a top target when Leeds failed to appoint Rafa Benitez last week.
He was interviewed before the loss to Everton. And he has now been given the role on a ‘flexible’ contract. That one word all but acknowledges that this is not a situation that Leeds could really afford to end up in.
But what does the future hold for Skubala? Well, The Telegraph reports that he will remain with the senior squad, rather than reprise his under-21 role.
That decision seemingly highlights how Skubala has deserved praise for the work he has done. It was clearly not the right time to hand him the manager’s job for the rest of the season. But he has earned the promotion.
He follows in the footsteps of Mark Jackson and Carlos Corberan. The pair were both promoted to the first-team coaching staff during their spells as under-21 boss.
That continuity may help Gracia and the players at a time when Leeds simply have to hit the ground running.
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