Javi Gracia was appointed the head coach of Leeds United on 21 January 2023.

It was his second spell in the Premier League having previously been in charge of Watford from January 2018 to September 2019.

The former defensive midfielder spent his entire playing career in Spain, including in LaLiga for Real Valladolid, Real Sociedad and Villarreal.

Gracia started coaching after his playing career ended in 2004, managing the youth teams at Villarreal.

In 2007, he took over Spanish third-tier side Pontevedra before leading Cadiz to promotion to Segunda Division in 2008/09.

The Spaniard departed the club midway through the 2009/10 campaign and managed Villarreal B the following season.

After spending a year in Greece with Olympiakos Volou and Kerkyra, Gracia returned to Spain to lead Almeria into the top flight.

He left at the end of the season but quickly returned to management in September 2013 with Osasuna, before being named Malaga manager in May 2014.

During his two-year tenure at Malaga the club finished ninth and eighth, recording victories over Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.

Gracia led Rubin Kazan in Russia for the 2016/17 season, but left the club by mutual consent at the end of the campaign.

The Spaniard guided Watford to the FA Cup final and 11th place in the 2018/19 season - their best position in the Premier League.