Leeds United manager Javi Gracia
President of the 49ers Enterprises, Paraag Marathe, was directly involved in Leeds United’s move for Javi Gracia, Phil Hay reports.
The Lowdown: Flexible contract
Gracia arrived at Elland Road last week and took charge of his first game against Southampton in the Premier League just days later.
The Spaniard guided the Whites to a 1-0 win to take them out of the relegation zone, with his current deal described as flexible.
Off the pitch, the 49ers appear to be planning to take control in Yorkshire from the summer, which has led to questions if they were involved in bringing Gracia to the club.
The Latest: Hay’s comments
Hay answered numerous Leeds-related questions in a mailbag for The Athletic on Friday, with one of those being on the 49ers and Gracia. One supporter asked if the 49ers were involved in the appointment, to which he said:
“They were. When Gracia pitched to the board and presented his ideas on the Sunday after the defeat at Everton, Paraag Marathe — Leeds’ vice-chairman and 49ers Enterprises president — was in the meeting.
“Various contacts have indicated that of all the people at Elland Road, Radrizzani was most convinced that Marsch had to be sacked (and Radrizzani first thought about a change after defeat to Aston Villa in January) but because of the setup in the boardroom and the pending takeover, virtually every major decision — on transfers, finances, head coaches — has to be taken by committee.
“Much of it directly affects the current and future value of the club. It was like that with Jack Harrison almost joining Leicester on deadline day. 49ers Enterprises was not convinced by the sense of that deal and it was scrapped at late notice after boardroom talks.”
The Verdict: Full-time contract?
Gracia’s sole focus is now on keeping Leeds in the top flight after a midweek exit from the FA Cup, and should he achieve that, you’d like to think he could be in line for a longer stay in Yorkshire.
He has the chance to catch the eye of the proposed new owners with positive displays on the pitch and has made a good start with two promising performances, making the Whites defensively compact while also being an attacking threat.
The 49ers were happy to go with Gracia after parting ways with Jesse Marsch, and come the summer, they may be in a position to extend his contract, providing every goes to plan in the next 14 games.
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