Ashley Williams has urged Javi Gracia to ‘harness’ two of Marcelo Bielsa’s traits ‘ingrained’ in the Leeds United squad. The Spaniard is also a ‘sensible’ choice as their latest manager.
The Whites appointed Gracia this Tuesday to end the Elland Road natives’ search for Jesse Marsch’s successor. He agreed to a flexible contract to take over the Premier League team engulfed in a relegation battle. The Spaniard arrives with the club sat just 19th in the table.
Gracia will oversee his first match as Leeds manager on Saturday at home to Southampton in a crucial six-pointer. The Saints travel to West Yorkshire at the bottom of the standings by just one point to the Whites. A win could also move either team out of the drop zone.
Leeds are without a win in their past 10 Premier League games since beating Bournemouth 4-3 on November 5. They have suffered six defeats around four draws – including their last two matches. The Whites have also only kept two clean sheets since their last three points.
Southampton, in contrast, beat Chelsea 1-0 away at Stamford Bridge last week. The Saints had lost their three Premier League matches prior to travelling to west London. While the win in the capital convinced St Mary’s chiefs to give Ruben Selles the reins to the summer.
Williams feels Leeds made a ‘sensible’ choice by naming Gracia as their manager
Williams feels Leeds made a ‘sensible’ choice by naming Gracia as their next manager after Marsch. The Spaniard led Watford to Premier League safety in 2017/18 after taking charge in January. They finished the term in 14th place before making the FA Cup final in 2018/19.
Now, Leeds hope Gracia can be the man to do what Marsch did last season after replacing Bielsa last February. The American led the Whites to safety after succeeding the Argentine. But he would only last a year in charge and Bielsa’s hallmarks are still ingrained in the side.
“It’s a sensible appointment considering the candidates and the risks that they come with,” Williams told the BBC’s Football Focus. “Gracia knows the league, he’s very experienced.
“He led Watford to the FA Cup final and a credible finish in the league; of the names mentioned he was the sensible one.
“There’s a lot of talent at Leeds [and] he could get the best out of the squad. They are still ingrained in the Marcelo Bielsa way; they are frenetic, intense. Gracia has got to harness that and stamp his authority on it.”
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