Leeds considering Javi Gracia and Rafa Benitez for manager role

Leeds United want to bring in a new head coach before their next game with Southampton and are considering Javi Gracia and Rafa Benitez for the role, sources have confirmed to 90min.

Having axed Jesse Marsch earlier this month, Leeds failed to land their initial targets of West Brom’s Carlos Corberan, Andoni Iraola of Rayo Vallecano and Feyenoord’s Arne Slot, while they also backed out of a deal for former Ajax coach Alfred Schreuder.

After their plans failed to come to fruition, Leeds let assistant manager Michael Skubula take charge of the team for their double header with Manchester United and the weekend’s clash with Everton.

The weekend’s loss at Goodison Park saw them sink to 19th in the Premier League and following extensive meetings within the club, they are again pursuing a more permanent option.

Gracia has now emerged as a real contender following talks he and his people held with Leeds, including director of football Victor Orta.

Gracia has previous Premier League experience following his 20-month spell with Watford. He left in September 2019, having twice guided them to top-flight safety and also reached the FA Cup final. His experience of battling the drop is no doubt appealing to Leeds.

He is currently out of work having left Saudi Arabian giants Al-Nassr early in 2022. He had joined them following a stint with Valencia, who he joined after leaving Watford.

Benitez, like compatriot Gracia, is also out of work after being sacked by Everton last year but he too is of interest to Leeds.

The former Liverpool and Newcastle manager confirmed over the weekend he still has a desire to work in England.

“You need a project. I was lucky enough to manage a lot of teams and because I did that and won some trophies, I can say now ‘I don’t like this project, but I like this one,’” he said on Sky Sports.

“I am fine and happy in England, in terms of the Premier League my family and everything. Sometimes you make decisions that are a risk but the reality is the Premier League is the best league in the world and I want to be around.”