Leeds waiting on Javi Gracia's work permit

Good Morning. It's Thursday 23rd February, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...


Leeds waiting on Javi Gracia's work permit

If Leeds on-field problems weren't bad enough, they now face a race against time to try and sort out Javi Gracia's work permit, ready for their crunch match against Southampton at the weekend. This could be a big problem as he fails to meet one of the Post-Brexit immigration stipulations set out by the FA.

The 52yo does not qualify for his GBE (Governing Body Endorsement) visa having failed to meet the criteria set out in appendix four below:-

1) He must have overall responsibility for the first team of the club applying for a GBE.
2) He must hold a UEFA professional license or equivalent.
3) He must be filling a vacancy at a managerless club.
4) He must have managed at a club in an FA-determined ‘top league’ for at least 36 months cumulatively - or two years consecutively - within the five year period immediately prior to the date of his application.

Leeds are likely to resubmit his application to the exceptions panel, but there's no guarantee the FA will make special allowances for Leeds Utd, they're more likely to dock us points for trying. Theoretically, Leeds may have to sack Gracia before he even starts.





Aranalde lined up as Gracia's assistant

Zigor Aranalde is set to join Leeds United as Javi Gracia’s Assistant Manager, assuming Gracia's work permit can be sorted out. The pair worked together at Watford, Valencia and Al Sadd in Qatar, and as such the move makes perfect sense. The former left back enjoyed a 19 year playing career, which included spells at Walsall, Sheffield Wednesday and Carlisle. After he retired in 2010, he took up coaching at Albacete.

In 2018, he linked up with Javi Gracia for the first time, and the pair have been inseparable ever since. Where this leaves Chris Armas is anybodies guess. We know that Michael Scubala has been promoted to the first team coaching staff, though Armas was more like an assistant to Marsch prior to his departure several weeks ago.





Rodrigo comeback ahead of schedule

Rodrigo's recovery from ankle surgery is ahead of schedule, and is planning a come-back before the International break in late Marsch. Leeds leading scorer, who turns 32 in a couple of weeks has been out of action since the Accrington Stanley win almost four weeks ago, and wasn't expected back until April; but rehabilitation has been going well, prompting the Spanish International to bring forward his expected comeback date.

Feeling much, much better. Things are progressing better than I expected, to be honest. We are trying to shorten the recovery period. I'm happy for that. Injuries are always a frustrating moment for a football player, but I understand that's part of football as well. I'm trying to do everything I can to be back as soon as possible.

I expect to be back before the international break. When I got the injury, they said probably I will be back just after the international break, but things are progressing better than we always expected. I hope I can be available for the games before the international break, but let's see. We can’t confirm because it depends on my progression from now to the next two or three weeks, but if I keep this progression, I think I will be available before [the break].