---
title: "Leeds: Javi Gracia almost certain to receive work permit"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-javi-gracia-work-permit-update/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Charlie Smith"
section: "Leeds United News"
published: "2023-02-23T11:20:17Z"
modified: "2023-02-23T11:20:17Z"
---

# Leeds: Javi Gracia almost certain to receive work permit

**[Leeds United](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-news/) head coach Javi Gracia is ‘almost certain’ to receive a work permit but faces a race against time to obtain it before Saturday, [The Daily Mail](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11780687/Javi-Gracia-BLOCKED-taking-training-Leeds-awaits-work-permit.html) report.**

### The Lowdown: Tuesday appointment

Gracia was [officially](https://www.leedsunited.com/news/team-news/31078/javi-gracia-agrees-to-become-leeds-united-head-coach) named as Jesse Marsch’s successor at Elland Road on Tuesday, although the club did stress that he still needs to obtain the necessary work permissions to be in charge against Southampton on Saturday.

It appears to be a complicated process that has left members of the media [concerned](https://twitter.com/conormcgilligxn/status/1628452655747018754?s=46&t=F1c_TPaYz8tmjd3qgVl8ng) due to the Spaniard failing to meet the criteria over the last five years.

### The Latest: Good news

[The Daily Mail](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11780687/Javi-Gracia-BLOCKED-taking-training-Leeds-awaits-work-permit.html) said in a story on Wednesday that Gracia is ‘almost certain’ to receive a work permit, should the case go to a three-person ‘exceptions panel’.

They say that Gracia should be granted a GBE given his previous success at Watford, but there is a race against time for it to go through before Saturday.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”418869″\]

### The Verdict: Skubala again?

It appears as if Gracia will eventually get the green light to take over at Elland Road, which is obviously positive news. However, for the time being, Michael Skubala could well continue to lead the team for a fourth game in succession against Southampton.

The meeting with the Saints is arguably the club’s biggest game of the season so far, and with Gracia unable to take training or be in the dugout until a work permit is received, Skubala could be relied upon once more.

He began his tenure as caretaker with promising displays against Manchester United, but Leeds will need to improve on their display last time out against Everton, where they [failed](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64607246) to have a shot on target, if they are to come away with a first league win since November.