‘When Marcelo Bielsa came in’: Paul Merson blasts Leeds United manager Javi Gracia

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Paul Merson says Javi Gracia has ‘no energy’ on the touchline and he isn’t motivational as Leeds United battle relegation in the Premier League.

Another game and another big week in Leeds’ quest to avoid dropping back down to the dreaded Championship.

In recent weeks, the fans have seen their team drop points at home to Leicester City, lose at Fulham and concede 11 goals in two home matches, that’s why Merson understands the supporters now turning against Javi Gracia.

With only a few weeks of the season to go, there is nothing the club can do other than try to march forward and get as many points as possible on the board.

That starts with their very important trip to the South Coast on Sunday when they take on Bournemouth, with Merson calling out Gracia, as he told Sky Sports News (29/04/23 at 12:30 pm).

“Yes, I can (understand some Leeds fans already turning on Javi Gracia),” said Merson. “When you are losing six and five at home, then you are 1-0 up against Leicester.

“When Bielsa came in, they played a certain way. It was gung-ho and 100 miles per hour. Every manager that has come in has played exactly the same way. No-one has changed it. It’s just 100 miles per hour. It’s a bit like the Everton thing. Everybody runs here and they run there.

“If you came in, turned the telly on and Leeds are playing live, but the scores wasn’t in the corner, you wouldn’t have a clue what the score was. If they were winning 3-0 or losing 3-0. It’s exactly the same football.

“There’s no energy in the manager. Everybody is different I know they are. If I was a Leeds fan, I wouldn’t look at him and think ‘oh, he’s got it. He’s going to motivate us’. He’s very lackadaisical. I think he is fortunate.”

LEEDS CAN’T AFFORD ANOTHER RELEGATION

The last time Leeds dropped, it took them nearly 20 years to make it back.

Yes, they were in a far worse condition back then, in terms of from a financial perspective, but as the Yorkshire faithful will know too well, the lower leagues of English football can suck you in and never let you out.

Come the end of the season, there could be some huge clubs suffering relegation, including Everton, who are at risk of dropping down to the Championship for the first time in 70 years.