Leeds United have sacked Javi Gracia and appointed Sam Allardyce as interim manager until end of 2022-23 season.
Gracia replaced Jesse Marsch as manager in late February but has failed to move Leeds away from the relegation zone, during which the Whites have earned just 11 points from 11 matches and kept a single clean sheet under the Spaniard.
Leeds consequently sit above the drop zone on goal difference from Nottingham Forest and have conceded 18 goals in their last five matches alone, from which they’ve amassed a single point during those games which came in a 1-1 draw against Leicester.
Club Chairman and owner, Andrea Radrizzani has consequently decided to end Gracia’s short reign with immediate effect, and has appointed Allardyce as interim manager until the end of this season given the 68 year-old’s proven survival record in the top-flight with just one relegation.
Issuing a club statement via their official website confirming Gracia’s departure and Allardyce’s arrival, the club said: ‘Leeds United can confirm Javi Gracia will leave the club after 12 games in charge.
‘Zigor Aranalde, Mikel Antia and Juan Solla, who joined alongside Gracia, will also leave the club.
‘We thank Javi and his team for their efforts under difficult circumstances.
‘The remaining four games of the season will be overseen by experienced head coach Sam Allardyce.’
Allardyce’s first match in charge will take place away from Elland Road as Leeds head to Manchester City on Saturday 6 May at 3pm BST live on Sky Sports, before hosting Newcastle a week later at 12:30pm on BT Sport on 13 May.
Ex Oxford United manager, Karl Robinson will be Allardyce’s assistant coach.
Leeds’ Director of Football, Victor Orta has also been dismissed after almost six years in the role, as Radrizzani seeks to win back support of Leeds fans for their final four matches in a push for survival.
Addressing the decision to part company with Orta, Radrizzani expressed that he felt “deeply saddened by the way that this chapter closes…” after enjoying so much success together, which included promotion to the Premier League in July 2020.
Radrizzani though admitted that now “is time to change direction” as he explained that both he and Orta had “agreed” that it would be in the club’s interests for Orta to leave with immediate effect.
The Italian also proceeded to issue the following rallying call for supporters: “I understand supporters are hurt and upset, but now is a time for unity.
“We have four cup finals left to play this season and working together, I believe we can survive.”