Javi Gracia WILL be in the dugout for Leeds’ game against Southampton

Javi Gracia will be on the bench for Leeds against Southampton on Saturday after finally getting a work permit.

The Spaniard was announced this Tuesday as the new coach of the whites, but he could not start working while he waited for his visa.

It was unclear if Gracia would be cleared in time to take charge of their opener against their relegation rivals.

But 24 hours before the Saints’ visit, the 52-year-old’s visa was confirmed and he was able to train on the Friday before Saturday’s big clash at Elland Road.

Speaking to the media for the first time, Gracia said: ‘I think we are well prepared and the team and the players know what we are going to do tomorrow. We are full of energy and commitment because we know it is a crucial match.”

Javi Gracia will be on the bench for Leeds’ relegation battle against Southampton on Saturday

The former Watford boss has been given a work permit, so he will oversee the big game.

Gracia arrives with Leeds sitting second in the table, one point above Southampton, and winless in 10 Premier League games.

“The club is focused at the moment on the goal,” said the former Watford boss. ‘The objective is clear and this helps us all to work in one direction and one way.

“When I spoke with them they were clear with me, we have to and we have to achieve the objective and from my first day I was in the same way.

‘The last few days have been busy, sleeping two or three hours, but I think we are ready.

‘I think everyone knows the potential of this team and the commitment and passion of this team. From day one they have taught me all these things. They need a good result to change the dynamic.

‘I think they are the confident ones and they trust that we can achieve our goal.’

Gracia has signed a ‘flexible contract’ with Leeds, which is understood to be short-term until the end of the season, with an option to be extended if he remains at the club.

Asked to clarify his deal, he said: ‘You know our situation, it’s not easy for the coaches. Maybe you’ll keep a game or maybe you’ll keep a life.

‘But when I accepted the challenge, I accepted because I wanted to be here to try and help this team achieve the goal.

I don’t want the club to have a difficult situation because the club has a manager they don’t want.

‘It’s better to be focused now on the next game and it’s my goal too, to try to win a game as soon as possible and try to finish the season with the goal. I’m not worried about my future.

Gracia admits that one of his first tasks will be to shore up a defense that has conceded 39 goals this season, the third-worst tally in the division.

“The team is conceding goals and we have to improve that,” he said. “There are different things to improve, I know we don’t have a lot of time, but we need time to work on it and give solutions to the players.”

Gracia was last in the Premier League with Watford from January 2018 to September 2019. He led the Hornets away from the relegation places and as high as 14th at the end of the 2017-18 season, before guiding them to 11th in the Premier League the following season, as well as reaching the 2019 FA Cup final.

But Gracia was sacked just four games into the 2019-20 season with Watford bottom on one point.

“When I finished my job at Watford I didn’t know if I would have another Premier League experience,” he added. “I had the opportunity in Spain in Valencia and Qatar, but when this appeared I had no doubts. I was very excited.

Leeds are struggling at the bottom of the Premier League and could be relegated

“I realized when I arrived here that it was an incredible club and I felt the same in Watford. That was a great family and a great experience for me and I hope that here in Leeds it will be the same with good results and good football and with all our fans. enjoying with the team.

‘I hope our fans will be the number 12 player for us. We need them.’

Gracia has appointed Zigor Aranalde and Mikel Antia as his assistants, while Juan José Solla has joined as physical trainer.

Michael Skubala, who took charge of Leeds’ last three games on an interim basis, will remain in the first-team squad, with Paco Gallardo taking over as Under-21 manager.