Leeds: Graham Smyth thinks Whites would happily hire new manager this summer

Journalist Graham Smyth believes that Javi Gracia has to pick up stunning results if he is to keep the Leeds United job beyond this season.
The Lowdown: Survival is the only objective
It’s pretty clear that Gracia was not the main man Leeds wanted when they sacked Jesse Marsch and would’ve preferred a more long-term appointment, but they have had to settle for the Spaniard on a flexible contract.
However, Leeds have at least been able to bring in an experienced first-team manager until the end of the season, as leaving it in the hands of caretaker Michael Skubala was never going to end well for the Whites.
Even if Gracia does achieve his aim of keeping Leeds in the Premier League – which will be difficult given their league position – he may well be relieved of his duties come the end of the campaign unless something strange happens.
The Latest: Gracia is only a short-term option
Smyth insisted on the Inside Elland Road podcast that Gracia has to achieve something special to be kept on beyond this summer, with Leeds likely to look at other managers.
He said: “I think the word ‘flexible’ gives everyone sufficient scope to reassess in the summer. I would be stunned, if it went poorly, that Leeds would not find themselves changing manager again in the summer.
“I think for him to stay, I think he’s going to have to enjoy it, I think it’s going to have to go well, and I think they’re going to have to play good football for the fans to accept that he’s the man permanently. They’re going to have to be a Premier League club and they’re going to have to play football that they enjoy.
“Now, that’s a difficult one because there’s going to have to be an element of pragmatism to try and get results, to prioritise results and wins. They only have four all season so the aesthetic of how they play can’t really be his first concern.
“He’s said some great things in the past about winning any old way leaves you feeling empty if you don’t bring the fans on board; if the fans don’t feel involved, they’re not part of it. So you would think that he’ll try and play some kind of football that fans will like because that’s his philosophy.”
The Verdict: Leeds will look to reassess in the summer
It’s no surprise that Leeds haven’t openly come out and claimed how long Gracia’s contract is, as that could potentially cause unrest amongst the fans if it was a deal that stretches beyond this season – or even vice-versa.
Leeds will have to know what league they are in next season before looking at who the right appointment could be, as if they are in the top flight, someone such as Andoni Iraola or Arne Slot may be attainable, but if they are relegated, Gracia could be who they look to keep around and get them promoted.
The Whites have certainly left themselves in a massive mess by having to appoint someone that was clearly very far down their managerial shortlist – otherwise, the previously out-of-work Gracia would surely have come in as soon as Marsch was sacked – and he now only has 15 games left to work his magic in the league.
