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Leeds United head coach Javi Gracia is still waiting for a work permit to be approved and looks unlikely to be in charge against Southampton.
The Lowdown: Work permit process
Gracia was officially named as Jesse Marsch’s successor at Elland Road on Tuesday, however, he hasn’t been able to take training as of yet due to needing a work permit.
It appears to be a fairly long process that may need to go to an ‘exceptions panel’, although The Daily Mail said that Gracia is ‘almost certain’ to receive a work permit following his time in charge of Watford.
When that will be remains to be seen, with time ticking until the club’s bottom-of-the-table Premier League clash against Southampton on Saturday afternoon.
The Latest: Gracia claim
LUFCFANZONE took to Twitter on Thursday evening to share what they’ve heard from a ‘source close to Javi Gracia’.
“In the UK these issues are very complicated and Javi is still waiting. But we trust this will be gained.”
They add that it is unlikely the Spaniard will be in the dugout as a result.
According to a source close to Javi Gracia Leeds are still waiting for a permit:
‘In the UK these issues are very complicated and Javi is still waiting. But we trust this will be gained’
On that reply, it seems unlikely that Gracia will gain a permit for Saturday.#LUFC #MOT
— LUFCFANZONE (@LUFCFANZ0NE) February 23, 2023
The Verdict: Frustrating
Michael Skubala looks set to remain a part of the first-team setup at Leeds under Gracia, so he may be called upon for a fourth successive game to take media duties and be the main man in the home dugout following this recent frustrating claim.
It isn’t ideal, especially as the club agreed on terms with Gracia earlier in the week, hoping he would be able to take charge against the Saints.
However, he may have spoken with Skubala during the week in regards to tactics he could look to implement at Thorp Arch ahead of the must-win meeting, especially as part of Gracia’s presentation to Leeds included analysis of Southampton’s win over Chelsea last weekend, as per Phil Hay.
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