Javi Gracia
Javier "Javi" Gracia Carlos (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈxaβi ˈɣɾaθja];[a] born 1 May 1970) is a Spanish football manager and former player who played as a defensive midfielder.
| Gracia as manager of Rubin Kazan in 2017 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Javier Gracia Carlos[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 1 May 1970[1] | ||
| Place of birth | Pamplona, Spain | ||
| Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)[1] | ||
| Position(s) | Defensive midfielder | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1977–1982 | Osasuna | ||
| Chantrea | |||
| Athletic Bilbao | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1989–1992 | Bilbao Athletic | 100 | (12) |
| 1992–1993 | Lleida | 38 | (12) |
| 1993–1995 | Valladolid | 65 | (2) |
| 1995–1999 | Real Sociedad | 106 | (12) |
| 1999–2002 | Villarreal | 82 | (6) |
| 2003–2004 | Córdoba | 39 | (0) |
| Total | 430 | (44) | |
| International career | |||
| 1989–1990 | Spain U20 | 3 | (0) |
| 1991 | Spain U21 | 1 | (0) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 2004–2005 | Villarreal (youth) | ||
| 2007–2008 | Pontevedra | ||
| 2008–2010 | Cádiz | ||
| 2010–2011 | Villarreal B | ||
| 2011 | Olympiacos Volou | ||
| 2011–2012 | Kerkyra | ||
| 2012–2013 | Almería | ||
| 2013–2014 | Osasuna | ||
| 2014–2016 | Málaga | ||
| 2016–2017 | Rubin Kazan | ||
| 2018–2019 | Watford | ||
| 2020–2021 | Valencia | ||
| 2021–2022 | Al Sadd | ||
| 2023 | Leeds United | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
He totalled 430 matches across both major levels of Spanish football, in a 15-year professional career. After retiring he began working as a manager, going on to coach several clubs in Spain, Greece and Russia before being appointed at Watford in January 2018.[2]
Gracia led Watford to their second FA Cup final in their history in 2019, but was sacked later the same year.[3] From June 2020 to May 2021 he worked with Valencia, and a year later he won the Qatar Stars League during a brief spell at Al Sadd before managing Leeds United for three months in 2023.
Playing career Edit
Born in Pamplona, Navarre, Gracia started playing professionally with Bilbao Athletic, Athletic Bilbao's reserves, never appearing officially for the first team.[4] In the 1992–93 campaign, he scored a career-best 12 goals in all 38 games as UE Lleida returned to La Liga after an absence of more than 40 years, as champions.[5][6]
Gracia spent the following six seasons in the top flight, appearing regularly for both Real Valladolid and Real Sociedad until 1998–99 (15 matches, one goal).[7][8] In 1999, he returned to the Segunda División and signed for Villarreal CF, helping the Valencian club to get promoted to the top division after one year and being regularly used the following campaign – 1,765 minutes of action – as the team retained their division status.
In February 2003, after being scarcely played in his last one and a half seasons at Villarreal, the 32-year-old Gracia joined Córdoba CF in the second level, closing out his career in June of the following year.[9][10] He appeared in 229 Spanish top-tier games over the course of nine seasons, netting 17 goals.[11]
Coaching career Edit
Early years Edit
After starting his managerial career with the youth sides of his former club Villarreal,[12] Gracia worked in the Segunda División B with Pontevedra CF, finishing first and second with the team in the regular season but always falling short in the promotion playoffs.[13]
In 2008–09, still in the third division, Gracia finally achieved promotion, now with Cádiz CF,[14] but he was fired midway through the following season[15] as the Andalusians were immediately relegated. In the 2010–11 campaign, with Villarreal's reserves,[16] he managed to avert a drop also in the second tier.
Greece Edit
In June 2011, Gracia was hired by Olympiacos Volos FC, who had finished fifth in the Super League Greece.[17] He debuted with the first European fixtures of his managerial career, eliminating FK Rad and FC Differdange 03 from the UEFA Europa League qualifiers, but the team were then expelled from the top flight and European competition due to their alleged involvement in the Koriopolis match-fixing scandal.[18][19]
Having terminated his contract, Gracia remained in the same league for the rest of 2011–12 season at A.O. Kerkyra.[20][21] He took the Corfu-based club to the last eight of the national cup, where they lost by a single goal at Asteras Tripolis FC.[22]
Almería Edit
Gracia returned to his country in June 2012, being hired by UD Almería.[23] He led the team back to the top flight in his one season,[24] but left after failing to agree new terms.[25]
Osasuna Edit
On 4 September 2013, Gracia was appointed at his hometown club CA Osasuna on a two-year deal, replacing the fired José Luis Mendilibar.[26] On his top-flight debut 11 days later, he lost 2–1 at Getafe CF.[27] His team were relegated in 18th place on the last day, ending 14 years in the top division, despite winning 2–1 against already condemned Real Betis;[28] results included heavy defeats against his former teams and rivals Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao and a 7–0 loss at FC Barcelona,[29][30][31] but also a 3–0 home win over reigning champions Atlético Madrid on 23 February 2014.[32]
Málaga Edit
Gracia was named the new manager of Málaga CF on 30 May 2014.[33] During his two-year tenure, he led the team to the ninth[34] and eighth position, respectively.[35]
Rubin Kazan Edit
Before the start of the 2016–17 season, Gracia joined FC Rubin Kazan.[36] After only achieving a ninth-place finish in the Russian Premier League, he left the club by mutual consent.[37]
Watford Edit
On 21 January 2018, Gracia was named the new head coach of Watford on an 18-month contract following the dismissal of Marco Silva.[38] His first game in charge took place six days later, in a 1–0 away loss against Southampton in the fourth round of the FA Cup.[39]
In the 2018–19 campaign, Gracia again coached the team to safety in the Premier League, the 11th place being their highest since 1986–87,[40] and took them to the final of the FA Cup for the first time in 35 years and for only the second time in the club's history.[41] He was sacked on 7 September 2019, after a poor start to the season saw them bottom with just one point.[42]
Valencia Edit
Gracia returned to Spain's top division on 27 July 2020, agreeing to a two-year deal at Valencia CF.[43] The following 3 May, after a 3–2 home defeat to Barcelona that left the side in 14th place, he was dismissed.[44]
Al Sadd Edit
On 7 December 2021, Gracia was hired by Al Sadd SC in the Qatar Stars League, after his compatriot Xavi had left for Barcelona; he signed until 2023 with the option of one more year.[45] The following 21 February, the team retained their title with an 8–2 win over Al Ahli SC.[46] He then left and was replaced by a third Spaniard, Juan Manuel Lillo.[47]
Leeds United Edit
On 21 February 2023, Gracia returned to England and its top flight after replacing the sacked Jesse Marsch at the helm of Leeds United.[48] The club announced the contract would be "flexible" but did not elaborate on that statement, further saying Gracia's appointment would be subject to the issuance of a work permit.[49] His debut took place four days later, a 1–0 home win over Southampton.[50]
Gracia was sacked on 3 May 2023, leaving the side 17th on the table with four fixtures remaining.[51][52] He defended his record, noting that he had taken the team out of the relegation zone and had earned more points in his 11 games than four clubs around them.[53]
Personal life Edit
Gracia's parents were both teachers.[54][55] He is married with three sons, two of whom are twins.[56]
Managerial statistics Edit
- As of 30 April 2023
| Team | From | To | Record | Ref. | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | W | D | L | Win % | ||||
| Pontevedra | 20 March 2007 | 30 June 2008 | 57 | 28 | 19 | 10 | 49.12 | [57] |
| Cádiz | 11 July 2008 | 9 January 2010 | 63 | 30 | 16 | 17 | 47.62 | [58] |
| Villarreal B | 24 June 2010 | 12 May 2011 | 38 | 14 | 5 | 19 | 36.84 | [59] |
| Olympiacos Volou | 7 June 2011 | 24 August 2011 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 75.00 | [60] |
| Kerkyra | 14 November 2011 | 28 March 2012 | 21 | 7 | 4 | 10 | 33.33 | [60] |
| Almería | 12 June 2012 | 28 June 2013 | 50 | 28 | 9 | 13 | 56.00 | [61] |
| Osasuna | 4 September 2013 | 30 May 2014 | 39 | 10 | 11 | 18 | 25.64 | [62] |
| Málaga | 30 May 2014 | 24 May 2016 | 84 | 28 | 22 | 34 | 33.33 | [63] |
| Rubin Kazan | 27 May 2016 | 8 June 2017 | 34 | 13 | 8 | 13 | 38.24 | [37][64] |
| Watford | 21 January 2018 | 7 September 2019 | 66 | 25 | 13 | 28 | 37.88 | [38] |
| Valencia | 27 July 2020 | 3 May 2021 | 38 | 10 | 13 | 15 | 26.32 | [43] |
| Al Sadd | 7 December 2021 | 18 June 2022 | 22 | 16 | 2 | 4 | 72.73 | |
| Leeds United | 21 February 2023 | 3 May 2023 | 12 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 25.00 | |
| Career total | 528 | 215 | 125 | 188 | 40.72 | — | ||
Honours Edit
Player Edit
Lleida
Manager Edit
Pontevedra
Cádiz
Watford
Al Sadd
Individual
Notes Edit
References Edit
- ^ a b c "Gracia: Javier Gracia Carlos: Manager". BDFutbol. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
- ^ "Javi Gracia, 300 partidos entre jugador y entrenador en Primera" [Javi Gracia, 300 matches combined as player and manager in Primera]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 11 May 2015. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
- ^ Unwin, Will (7 September 2019). "Watford sack Javi Gracia and reappoint Quique Sánchez Flores". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 December 2019.
- ^ "Gracia: "Las cifras goleadoras de Aduriz están por encima de la media"" [Gracia: "Aduriz's scoring figures are above the average"] (in Spanish). El Desmarque. 5 December 2015. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
- ^ a b "Se cumplen 20 años del último ascenso a Primera de la UE Lleida" [20 years from UE Lleida's last promotion to Primera]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 5 June 2013. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
- ^ Olcina Anaya, Felipe (10 March 2016). [The footballing past of all the League's managers] (in Spanish). Sphera Sports. Archived from the original on 22 January 2018. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
- ^ Ormazabal, Mikel (11 January 1999). "La Real reparte beneficios de la miseria" [Real share benefits of misery]. El País (in Spanish). Retrieved 22 January 2018.
- ^ "Javier Gracia, nuevo técnico del Málaga Club de Fútbol" [Javier Gracia, new Málaga Club de Fútbol manager] (in Spanish). Málaga CF. 30 May 2014. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
- ^ "Javi Gracia y Berruet se presentan con el Córdoba" [Javi Gracia and Berruet presented at Córdoba]. El Periódico Mediterráneo (in Spanish). 4 February 2003. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
- ^ "Javi Gracia y su última tarde de fútbol en el Córdoba" [Javi Gracia and his last football afternoon at Córdoba] (in Spanish). Cordópolis. 16 October 2014. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
- ^ Criado, José (31 October 2015). "'Pitu' Abelardo y Javi Gracia: compañeros y rivales" ['Pitu' Abelardo and Javi Gracia: mates and rivals]. La Opinión de Málaga (in Spanish). Retrieved 21 January 2018.
- ^ "Calleja: "Gracia es una referencia para los entrenadores que venimos de abajo"" [Calleja: "Gracia is a reference for us managers who come from below"] (in Spanish). El Desmarque. 10 February 2016. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
- ^ Martínez, Juan (2 June 2008). "Javi Gracia: "Me sentaré con el presidente, no quiero ser un obstáculo para el club"" [Javi Gracia: "I will sit down with the president, I don't want to stand in the club's way"]. Faro de Vigo (in Spanish). Retrieved 21 January 2018.
- ^ Ramírez, Álvaro (26 May 2009). "Javi Gracia será el entrenador en Segunda" [Javi Gracia will be the manager in Segunda] (in Spanish). El Desmarque. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
- ^ "El Cádiz destituye a su entrenador Javier Gracia" [Cádiz dismiss their manager Javi Gracia] (in Spanish). Europa Press. 10 January 2010. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
- ^ "El excadista Javi Gracia, destituido en el Villarreal B por los malos resultados" [Ex-Cádiz Javi Gracia, dismissed in Villarreal B due to poor results] (in Spanish). La Voz Digital. 13 May 2011. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
- ^ Benítez, Alberto (7 June 2011). "El Olympiakos Volou contrata al técnico Javi Gracia" [Olympiakos Volou hire manager Javi Gracia]. Marca (in Spanish). Retrieved 21 January 2018.
- ^ "Olympiakos Volos and Kavala relegated in Greece". Daily Sabah. 29 July 2011. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
- ^ "Olympiacos Volou appeal rejected". UEFA. 15 August 2011. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
- ^ "Ανέλαβε την τεχνική ηγεσία της Κέρκυρας ο Χάβι Γκράθια" [Javi Gracia hired as manager of Kerkyra]. To Vima (in Greek). 14 November 2011. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
- ^ Ardila, Alberto (29 May 2014). "Javi Gracia, la serenidad y el trabajo a discreción al servicio de La Rosaleda" [Javi Gracia, serenity and discrete work at the service of La Rosaleda] (in Spanish). Vavel. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
- ^ "Σολάκης: «Έχω απωθημένο τη συμμετοχή στον τελικό»" [Solakis: "I'm afraid to participate in the final"] (in Greek). Sport FM. 24 February 2012. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
- ^ "Xavi Gracia, técnico del Almería" [Xavi Gracia, manager of Almería]. Diario AS (in Spanish). 12 June 2012. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
- ^ "Almería 3–0 Girona: Los andaluces, el vigésimo pasajero de Primera" [Almería 3–0 Girona: The Andalusians, Primera's twentieth passenger] (in Spanish). Goal. 22 June 2013. Retrieved 1 November 2013.
- ^ "Javi Gracia no seguirá entrenando al Almería" [Javi Gracia will not continue as Almería coach] (in Spanish). Goal. 28 June 2013. Retrieved 1 November 2013.
- ^ "La Liga: Osasuna name former Almeria boss Javi Gracia as their new coach". Sky Sports. 4 September 2013. Retrieved 21 September 2013.
- ^ "Javi Gracia: "A día de hoy somos muy blandos y muy cándidos"" [Javi Gracia: "Today we are very soft and very candid"]. Marca (in Spanish). 15 September 2013. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
- ^ "Osasuna desciende a Segunda División" [Osasuna go down to Segunda División] (in Spanish). Cadena SER. 18 May 2014. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
- ^ "El Real Madrid sufre pero le gana al Rayo" [Real Madrid suffer but beat Rayo] (in Spanish). BBC Mundo. 2 November 2013. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
- ^ "El Athletic golea en Pamplona y se consolida en la cuarta plaza" [Athletic rout in Pamplona and consolidate themselves in fourth place] (in Spanish). RTVE. 26 January 2014. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
- ^ Jurejko, Jonathan (16 March 2014). "Barcelona 7–0 Osasuna". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
- ^ "Osasuna 3–0 Atlético Madrid". BBC Sport. 23 February 2014. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
- ^ "La Liga: Javi Gracia named the new manager of Malaga". Sky Sports. 30 May 2014. Retrieved 19 June 2014.
- ^ "El Málaga confirma la marcha de Javi Gracia al Rubin Kazán" [Málaga confirm departure of Javi Gracia to Rubin Kazan]. Levante-EMV (in Spanish). 25 May 2016. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
- ^ "El Málaga repitió el octavo puesto de las temporadas 2001–02 y 2008–09" [Málaga repeated eighth place of 2001–02 and 2008–09 seasons]. La Vanguardia (in Spanish). 16 May 2016. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
- ^ "Javi Gracia ficha por el Rubin Kazan" [Javi Gracia signs for Rubin Kazan]. Sport (in Spanish). 22 May 2016. Retrieved 27 August 2017.
- ^ a b Хавьер Грасия покидает «Рубин» [Javier Gracia leaves Rubin] (in Russian). FC Rubin Kazan. 8 June 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
- ^ a b "Gracia named Hornets' head coach". Watford F.C. 21 January 2018. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
- ^ O'Keeffe, Greg (27 January 2018). "Southampton 1–0 Watford". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
- ^ Bradshaw, Joe (12 May 2019). "Watford 1–4 West Ham: Clinical Hammers secure top-10 finish". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
- ^ "Watford stage classic FA Cup comeback to beat Wolves in semi-final". The Sydney Morning Herald. 8 April 2019. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
- ^ Jackson, Elliot (7 September 2019). "Quique Sanchez Flores replaces Javi Garcia at Watford as Hornets turn to former boss". Evening Chronicle. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
- ^ a b "Official statement | Javi Gracia". Valencia CF. 27 July 2020. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
- ^ "El Valencia destituye al técnico Javi Gracia después de perder contra el Barça" [Valencia dismiss manager Javi Gracia after losing against Barça]. El Periódico de Catalunya (in Spanish). 3 May 2021. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
- ^ Gray, Ryan (7 December 2021). "Former Watford boss Javi Gracia named Al Sadd coach". Watford Observer. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
- ^ a b "Unstoppable Al Sadd rout Al Ahli to retain title in style". Gulf Times. 21 February 2022. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
- ^ "Lillo replaces Gracia as Al Sadd coach". The Peninsula. 18 June 2022. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
- ^ "Javi Gracia agrees to become Leeds United head coach". Leeds United F.C. 21 February 2023. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
- ^ "Leeds name ex-Watford boss Javi Gracia as manager". Reuters. 21 February 2023. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
- ^ Dawkes, Phil (25 February 2023). "Leeds United 1–0 Southampton". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
- ^ Pope, Adam; Falkingham, Katie (2 May 2023). "Leeds set to sack manager Javi Gracia and in talks with Sam Allardyce". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
- ^ "Leeds sack Gracia with relegation looming, Allardyce takes over". Reuters. 3 May 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
- ^ "Leeds United: Javi Gracia defends record after being replaced by Sam Allardyce". BBC Sport. 4 May 2023. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
- ^ Ciriza, Alejandro; Pérez, Gorka (26 April 2014). ""Hubiera sido futbolista toda la vida"" ["I would have been a footballer all my life"]. El País (in Spanish). Retrieved 22 January 2018.
- ^ Liew, Jonathan (15 March 2019). "Watford vs Crystal Palace: 'We have values other clubs don't have. We are a family. We have solidarity' – the Javi Gracia interview". The Independent. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
- ^ Affleck, Kevin (6 April 2019). "Gracia: "My sons are singing the songs"". Watford F.C. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
- ^ "Gracia: Javier Gracia Carlos: Matches: 2006–07". BDFutbol. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
"Gracia: Javier Gracia Carlos: Matches: 2007–08". BDFutbol. Retrieved 3 May 2018. - ^ "Gracia: Javier Gracia Carlos: Matches: 2008–09". BDFutbol. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
"Gracia: Javier Gracia Carlos: Matches: 2009–10". BDFutbol. Retrieved 3 May 2018. - ^ "Gracia: Javier Gracia Carlos: Matches: 2010–11". BDFutbol. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
- ^ a b Javi Gracia coach profile at Soccerway
- ^ "Gracia: Javier Gracia Carlos: Matches: 2012–13". BDFutbol. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
- ^ "Gracia: Javier Gracia Carlos: Matches: 2013–14". BDFutbol. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
- ^ "Gracia: Javier Gracia Carlos: Matches: 2014–15". BDFutbol. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
"Gracia: Javier Gracia Carlos: Matches: 2015–16". BDFutbol. Retrieved 3 May 2018. - ^ "Javi Gracia Carlos signs as Rubin Kazan boss". The Score. 27 May 2016. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
- ^ "El Pontevedra, campeón desmotivado ante el Pájara" [Pontevedra, unmotivated champions against Pájara]. Faro de Vigo (in Spanish). 21 May 2007. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
- ^ Jiménez, Francisco José (24 May 2019). "El aniversario de dos ascensos cadistas" [Anniversary of two Cádiz promotions] (in Spanish). El Desmarque. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
- ^ McNulty, Phil (18 May 2019). "Manchester City 6–0 Watford". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
- ^ "Manager profile: Javier Gracia". Premier League. Retrieved 19 September 2018.
External links Edit
- Javi Gracia at BDFutbol
- Javi Gracia manager profile at BDFutbol
- Javi Gracia at Athletic Bilbao