---
title: "Leeds: Mikel Antia to join Javi Gracia at Elland Road"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-mikel-antia-javi-gracia-elland-road-news/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Charlie Smith"
section: "Leeds United News"
published: "2023-02-23T17:40:31Z"
modified: "2023-02-23T17:40:31Z"
---

# Leeds: Mikel Antia to join Javi Gracia at Elland Road

**Coach Mikel Antia looks set to make the move to [Leeds United](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-news/) to work alongside Javi Gracia for the first time, according to Beren Cross for [Leeds Live](https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/leeds-united-backroom-newcastle-benitez-26306782).**

### The Lowdown: Antia profiled

The 50-year-old has experience of being an assistant manager in the [Premier League](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league-news/). The Spaniard worked under Rafael Benitez at Newcastle United for [136](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/mikel-antia/profil/trainer/18555) games between 2016 and 2019 and is currently in the MLS with Charlotte.

He was a part of Miguel Angel Ramirez’s backroom team and has been assistant to current manager Christian Lattanzio for 20 games (as per [Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/mikel-antia/profil/trainer/18555)), but it looks as if a return to England is on the cards.

### The Latest: Antia to link up with Gracia at Leeds

Cross shared a story for [Leeds Live](https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/leeds-united-backroom-newcastle-benitez-26306782) on Wednesday evening regarding Gracia’s backroom staff setup. He said that Zigor Aranalde will once again be the 52-year-old’s assistant, while Juan Solla is also set to work with Gracia once again.

However, Cross added that Antia is set to work under the new Whites manager on a coaching basis for the first time, with the two having played together at Real Sociedad in the late 1990s.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”418869″\]

### The Verdict: Wise move?

Although Antia has never worked under Gracia, there is still a connection from their time at Sociedad as players. He would bring previous experience of coaching in England, so it could be a wise move by the new Leeds boss in the short run.

Michael Skubala also looks [set to remain](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2023/02/21/leeds-united-new-manager-javi-gracia-watford/) at the club under Gracia, so a blend of his previous assistants in Aranalde and Solla, a new coach in Antia and a current Leeds figure in Skubala could be a good blend for the newly-appointed 52-year-old as he looks to steer the Whites away from the relegation zone.