<\/p>\n
Leeds on Tuesday announced the appointment of former Watford boss Javi Gracia as the new manager of the relegation-threatened Premier League club.<\/p>\n
The Spaniard, who led the Hornets to the 2019 FA Cup final, has signed what Leeds described as a \u201cflexible\u201d contract to replace Jesse Marsch, who was sacked on February 6.<\/p>\n
Leeds had been hoping to make a swift announcement, but missed out on several top targets.<\/p>\n
\u201cLeeds United are delighted to announce the club have agreed terms with Javi Gracia to become men\u2019s first team head coach, subject to obtaining a work permit,\u201d the club said in a statement.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe experienced 52-year-old has agreed a flexible contract at Elland Road.\u201d <\/p>\n
Watch the world\u2019s best footballers every week with beIN SPORTS on Kayo. LIVE coverage from Bundesliga, Ligue 1, Serie A, Carabao Cup, EFL & SPFL. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now ><\/a><\/b><\/i><\/p>\n FEATURE: \u2018Never been as poor\u2019: Transfer fails, fitness and formations \u2013 Reds\u2019 shock implosion explained<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n <\/b>\u2018Not for sale\u2019: Liverpool emphatically denies rumours $6.5 billion club is on the market<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n Leeds dismissed Marsch following a 1-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest. Under-21s manager Michael Skubala has been in interim charge since even though club owner Andrea Radrizzani initially promised a quick appointment.<\/p>\n They last won a match in the Premier League on November 5 and are 19th in the table, just one point above bottom club Southampton, whom they host on Saturday.<\/p>\n Gracia took Watford to the FA Cup final in 2019, which they lost 6-0 to Manchester City, but was sacked early the following season after a poor start to the Premier League campaign.<\/p>\n He has since managed Valencia and Al Saad in Qatar.<\/p>\n The hunt for Marsch\u2019s replacement had met with several setbacks. Talks with former Ajax boss Alfred Schreuder broke down, Rayo Vallecano blocked a move for Andoni Iraola and Arne Slot opted to stay at Feyenoord after he was approached.<\/p>\n Carlos Corberan, who previously worked under Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds, signed a new contract with West Brom, while it was reported in Argentina that former River Plate boss Marcelo Gallardo ruled himself out of the running.<\/p>\n Leeds, two points from safety, are without a win in their past 10 league matches.<\/p>\n The club, who won the English top flight in 1992, were relegated from the Premier League in 2004 and did not return until 2020.<\/p>\n This is their second successive relegation battle, only preserving their elite status on the final day of the campaign last season.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n