NICE GUY GRACIA WILL TRY FRIENDLY FIRE TO SAVE LEEDS

CHeQUeR STReeT in St Albans is a hive of activity. Full of bars and restaurants, it is a prime destination for watford staff and players for post-training relaxation, with their London Colney base so close by. Shortly after his appointment as manager in January 2018, Javi Gracia, who has been handed the reins at Leeds, was invited to join his new colleagues at one gastropub after training. It is an invite they had extended to previous managers — and there have been a few. But generally the invites were declined. So when Gracia strode into the pub he was enthusiastically welcomed. He did not stay long and did not have a drink, but he attended. He also picked up the tab. Speak to those who have worked closely with Gracia, 52, and it sums him up — a people person, warm, friendly and generous. ‘Leeds players will want to run through brick walls for him,’ says one player who worked under the Spaniard. His presence that day worked wonders. An instant rapport was struck up and watford avoided relegation, finishing 14th. The following season was even better — 11th and an FA Cup final.

Gracia has signed a ‘flexible contact’ with Leeds, understood to be a short-term deal with bonuses and the option to extend if he is successful. He will be in the dugout for Saturday’s huge clash against Southampton at elland Road subject to getting a work permit, which is not expected to be an issue.

Leeds fans will hope he can work his magic quickly, but they can be confident they have a manager who will galvanise a squad lacking positivity. watford players were grateful for the ‘no blame’ culture he nurtured. If something went wrong, it was never one person’s fault, it was a collective issue. That is not to say he avoided difficult conversations. One of his most impressive traits is letting players know where they stand. If he is not selecting a player, he will explain why and what is required for them to get back in the team.

Born in Pamplona, Gracia was a holding midfielder who played for Real Valladolid,

Real Sociedad and Villarreal, among others. A meticulous student of the game, he will leave no stone unturned.

The father-of-three started coaching in 2004 with Villarreal’s youth team and has held posts in Spain and Greece. Graham Hyde, former vice chair of Leeds United Supporters’ Trust, said: ‘At least the club are trying to change the trajectory. we needed somebody with a clear plan and level of experience who can handle a difficult situation.

‘Gracia has proved he can turn a club around at the bottom and keep them in it, so he has some credibility behind him. ‘watford fans say he was one of their best appointments and to get rid of him was harsh. If someone can get Leeds playing in a structured way, they can fire themselves out of trouble.’

Gracia will implement an attacking style within an organised structure. Leeds players will find training technical.

‘His sessions were always engaging,’ says one insider. ‘There was a fair share of tactical work in the lead-up to games, but you’d rarely find a player moaning.’ Four years after leaving watford, following spells at Valencia and Al Sadd in Qatar, Gracia is back. He has made a good first impression at his new club. Leeds will hope nice guys don’t always finish last.