Ray Parlour has told talkSPORT that Leeds United are taking a real gamble appointing Javi Gracia as their new manager, but admitted that he was extremely impressed by the job he did at Watford.
After more than two weeks without a boss, the Whites appear to be closing in on the Spaniard. As reported by The Athletic, Leeds are set to confirm Gracia as Jesse Marsch’s successor at Elland Road.
You cannot rule it out, but you would surely imagine that the Leeds board will not even attempt to argue that Gracia was a top target. It has been a chaotic search, with The Times reporting that Andoni Iraola and Arne Slot were amongst those Leeds failed to land.
Parlour reacts as Leeds close in on Gracia appointment
Leeds attempted to take the pressure off by appointing Michael Skubala as interim boss. And it seemed that he may be ready to do a decent job after two good performances against Manchester United.
However, it is no surprise that a new manager is coming in just days after the loss at Everton. The atrocious performance could not have made it clearer that the ship was not in a position to be steadied by Skubala.
And Gracia appears set to be the man who comes in. It is a surprise choice. But he is someone who has worked in the Premier League.
Parlour sees the move as a real roll of the dice from Leeds. However, he clearly feels that he could be an inspired choice if it clicks.
“Certainly, they’ve got to make a decision very quickly, haven’t they, after the weekend. Two of their main targets have been blocked. So you’ve got to have a plan when you sack managers to say ‘I’m going to go for him, I’m going to go for him’, and know they’re available. But it seems like Leeds haven’t done that and now they’re taking a gamble,” he told talkSPORT.
“Of course, any manager’s a gamble. But at least he knows the league, he kept Watford in the Premier League. And what an amazing achievement getting them to the final of the FA Cup. So give him an opportunity.”
It is hard not to feel that the board will have been so lucky if appointing Gracia pays off. It has been own goal after own goal from the club’s hierarchy.
The fact that Gracia has not publicly been in the mix until this week says it all. The 52-year-old has not previously been the first-choice. And now Leeds fans have to believe that he is the man to save us from relegation.
Hopefully, Gracia does indeed prove to be a brilliant option. But if he does, the board should be breathing a huge sigh of relief rather than patting themselves on the back – or claiming they are the reason we are back in the Premier League, of course.
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