Leeds United’s struggles in the league convinced them to sack Jesse Marsch in February and appoint Javi Gracia as his successor later that month.
The duration of the contract offered to the Spaniard was not revealed by the Whites. Juan Solla, who joined the 52-year-old’s backroom staff as the fitness coach, has hinted it could be until the end of this season.
La Voz de Galicia interviewed Solla, who left Marseille to reunite with his compatriot at Elland Road. When explaining how he was seduced to join Leeds, the Whites coach mentioned Gracia’s project at the Premier League side.
“In principle, it is a three month project and then, depending on what happens, we will see. In four games, we have two wins, a draw and a loss, which was against Chelsea,” he said.
Leeds are currently 14th in the table with 26 points, and are two points ahead of 18th placed West Ham United, who have a game in hand.
Solla found it hard to arrive at Leeds because he had ‘immersed’ himself in another project at the French club. He took the Marseille job because Gracia had the ‘idea of resting’ after his stint at Al-Sadd in 2022.
“My family was fine, it was a project designed for several years, with good people and professionals. It was hard for me to quit. It was a very good opportunity too, to return to the Premier League and with Javi. I decided with great enthusiasm and hoping that it will turn out well,” Solla explained.
Marseille advised the Spaniard to reflect on his choice to join the Premier League side.
“There were long conversations and I had doubts, but they understood. It is well known that, in football, sometimes there are moments when opportunities arise and you have to make decisions. I think at this point I had to take this one,” the Leeds coach added.
