Elton John ... and running with the bulls
Javi Gracia on running with the bulls and setting Watford on the charge
Having run with bulls in Pamplona and served under a demanding Russian politician and a Qatari Sheik, it is little wonder that Javi gracia has impressively negotiated the challenges of Premier League management.
not that Watford are a straightforward task. Remarkably, the 48-year- old Spanish coach this summer became the first Watford manager to finish a campaign and be in place for the start of the new season since 2014.
Yet gracia’s team have been the surprise package so far as only the dexterity of Manchester United’s David de gea denied Watford an unbeaten record after five games.
instead, the table reads four wins and one defeat, in addition to progress in the Carabao Cup, and Watford’s 10th manager in six years may yet prove to be a keeper.
‘i have certainly taken on challenges,’ gracia says. This Spaniard’s coaching career has taken a peculiar route, but he has earned his place at the top table.
His c.v. features a promotion from the third division in Spain with Cadiz and the second division with almeria. impressively, he guided cash-strapped Malaga to two tophalf finishes in La Liga.
He was unbeaten home and away against Real Madrid in the 2015-16 season, a campaign in which they conceded only five goals in six games against Real, Barcelona and atletico Madrid. at Malaga, he also led his side to victory at the nou Camp against Lionel Messi’s Barcelona.
‘i don’t worship the big names of coaching,’ gracia explains. ‘i admire them, but my admiration is for those managers working with tiny resources in lower divisions.
‘These guys do not win titles or receive acclaim but they work round the clock to sustain clubs and communities. Then you have people working with kids — this is coaching, this is dedication, away from the millions.
‘i like the tradition in England where you spend time with opposing managers. i look at people who love coaching and are obsessed by this sport, like Chris Hughton and Roy Hodgson. Fabulous, generous football people.
‘On Saturday, i spoke with Jose Mourinho before the game and he was really complimentary about my team, which was nice to hear. i am seeing the professional and personal quality of these people.’
gracia is enjoying his ride in the Premier League and met a musical hero in Elton John after defeating Tottenham 2-1 this month.
‘He loved the comeback!’ gracia grins. ‘it is surreal for me to be bringing him happiness! My wife and i love his music. But my kids love the Lion King. So this was very exciting. We went to the West End earlier this year to watch it and, uff, what a show! an all-time classic.’
gracia arrived in January with the task of keeping the club in the topflight but a 4-1 demolition of Chelsea was one of only four wins as he came to terms with the task last season.
away from home, Watford failed to win or score in any of their final seven away games. But gracia delved into a reservoir of resilience nurtured by his coaching past.
He worked under Rubin Kazan president ilsur Metshin, the mayor of the town and an acolyte of vladimir Putin, while at Malaga he tamed Sheik abdullah al-Thani — a president known for admonishing his team on Twitter and too often selling the club’s prized assets.
‘i am grateful, even for the peculiarities of the jobs,’ he says. ‘The Sheik was distant... then the pressure of working for a politician in Russia! Everyone is different, aren’t they? The Sheik is the owner so he can do what he wants.
‘and if you buy a club, you can do the same! i like a president to be with the team and if they want to give opinions, it would be better in private, not so publicly. Personally i do not have Twitter or Facebook.
‘i don’t think anything could interest me less. i feel like i can be more sincere and real to people in person. That’s how i like my world.
‘in Russia, it was hard. i tried to learn the language but there was a lot of translators. On the training field, i spoke Spanish, then there was a translator for French, one for Russian, one for English... not easy.
‘ The pressure from Sheiks, politicians or the Pozzo family at Watford does not bother me. all i concentrate on is the pressure i put on myself. i want to win.’
at Watford this season, gracia has earned rave reviews. Many had cast Watford as relegation fodder, particularly after losing Richarlison to Everton. Their summer transfer dealings were low-key, with Ben Foster the only new addition to have broken into the starting Xi.
Yet the squad have felt the benefit of a full pre-season — nobody was at the World Cup — and gracia’s motivational techniques include strict discipline. a fines system is in place and players are charged £100 for every minute they are late. Every player registers digitally when they arrive at the training ground.
‘i like a dressing room to have internal standards and players take responsibility for their behaviour.
‘Be on time, show respect and work hard for each other. Basic values. My parents were both teachers, and these were their principles. it’s mostly common sense. Yes, we have changed the menu. it’s quite obvious which foods footballers should not eat, whether it’s sugary sauces, a load of butter, too much bread, fatty foods.
‘But then i am relaxed on other things. We have mobile phones in the dressing rooms. i don’t mind them reading texts from family but when we eat together, we don’t want them looking at screens.
‘i get here for 7am. i am the first person in and often the last to leave. i like it — quiet time to plot and plan. i also feel it’s important people see the boss working hard.
‘Then i go home — but then i need to watch the Champions League games! Why would i want to switch off from the sport i love?’
The work-rate is paying dividends. Watford’s compact 4-4-2 system, with high pressing, the flair of Will Hughes and Roberto Pereyra plus the brawn of Troy Deeney, blends adventure with pragmatism. it is a mentality nurtured by a childhood in northern Spain.
‘i grew up in Pamplona, where we have the San Fermin festival and thousands of people go running with the bulls. i have done it many times but sadly it clashes with preseason these days! it’s an adrenaline rush. i am not enough of a daredevil to be going at the front and right up along with the bulls. Everything is about balance, not too much risk, like i see football, too.’
The balance is right, with gracia winning the manager of the month award for august.
‘i felt shy lifting that on Saturday. i don’t believe in individual awards. Everyone is working so hard, particularly the players. Troy Deeney is my captain and a leader. He sets the standards. Should he play for England? all i do is develop the English players that we have — and we have very good ones here such as Hughes and nathaniel Chalobah — and then it is up to gareth Southgate. But they are doing great things. nothing would give me greater pride.’
‘Pressure from Sheiks, Russian politicians or the Pozzo family does not bother me’