Phil Hay has told his Athletic podcast that Chris Armas still “technically” remains on the coaching staff but he has not been given a role by new Leeds United manager Javi Gracia – with the Spaniard choosing against keeping him.
Armas, 50, joined Leeds and formed a reunion with Jesse Marsch in January. But a couple of weeks later and the Leeds board decided to sack Marsch. It left Armas in a bit of a limbo period. He remained in the interim period.
Working alongside Paco Gallardo and Michael Skubala, he was part of a three-man coaching team that engineered just one point from three Premier League games. After a 1-0 loss to Everton, Leeds decided to bring in Gracia.
With Gracia bringing in his own coaching staff, unlike Marsch, Armas was left in limbo – and remains there. He is still “technically” a coach at Leeds according to Hay – but the Athletic reporter says Gracia does not want him around.
“The situation with Chris Armas. Technically speaking, he is still on the coaching staff at Leeds but has no role there. That was Gracia’s decision when he put his backroom together. Skubala is involved,” Hay said.
“But with Armas, it was nothing personal but this is the team I want and he’s not in it. As things stand, we’re waiting to understand what happens with Armas,” Hay added on his Athletic podcast when discussing the Armas situation.
Hay: Armas still technically on Leeds staff but not given role by Gracia
It only looks like it is heading one way as things stand. He has no use at Leeds and Gracia has other staff in his role. So, it is down to Leeds to make a decision on Armas and it is likely that after just a few weeks, Armas is set to go.
He could be given a role with the 21’s but given Armas has items on his CV such as managing New York Red Bulls and Toronto – as well as working as a first-team coach at Manchester United – he might feel that is below him.
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