Leeds United-bound Javi Gracia’s preferred assistant is a one-time Sheffield Wednesday defender

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Leeds United are set to appoint Javi Gracia as their new manager and a move to bring Zigor Aranalde with him would make perfect sense.

BBC Sport report that Gracia is set to be appointed as the new Leeds manager in the coming hours.

Fabrizio Romano reported on Monday that Gracia was in talks to become Leeds boss.

It looks like the negotiations have gone well and Gracia is on the verge of a move to Elland Road, possibly until the end of the season.

Leeds sacked Jesse Marsch just over two weeks ago and have now seemingly finally secured a new manager.

The former Watford boss faces a huge start as Leeds boss with a vital game against Southampton coming up this weekend.

The Spaniard returns for another crack at Premier League management – and he could bring Aranalde with him.

Zigor Aranalde will surely follow Javi Gracia to Leeds United

We often see Premier League clubs appoint foreign managers but then have somebody on the coaching staff who knows and understands English football.

Gracia has at least had one spell at Watford but such a move would still be beneficial to Leeds – and one candidate stands out.

Zigor Aranalde has become a trusted lieutenant of Gracia in recent years.

The pair first worked together at Watford as Aranalde joined the coaching staff there as an assistant coach.

Gracia then took Aranalde to Valencia with him and even to Qatar with Al Sadd, where he still serves as an assistant manager.

Aranalde spent eight years of his playing career in England, joining Walsall from Logrones back in 200.

After nearly 200 league appearances for the Saddlers, Aranalde moved on to Leeds’ Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday – but only played two games.

Aranalde went on to rack up over 100 appearances for Carlisle United before heading back to Spain aged 35.

That history in England could make Aranalde an ideal appointment for Leeds and Gracia, but it may well depend on whether he is willing to trade in a settled job in Qatar for a gamble at Elland Road.