Leeds 'approach ex-Watford boss Javi Gracia to replace Jesse ...

LEEDS have opened talks with Javi Gracia in a bid to finally end their managerial search.

The ex-Watford boss, 52, is one of two names under consideration to replace the sacked Jesse Marsch.

Leeds had been willing to stick with caretaker manager Michael Skubala until the end of the season.

But Saturday’s 1-0 loss to relegation rivals Everton plunged the Elland Road club to 19th in the table.

Leeds have failed to snap up candidates including Rayo Vallecano’s Andoni Iraola, West Brom’s Carlos Corberan and Arne Slot of Feyenoord as well as former Ajax boss Alfred Schreuder.

The Yorkshire club want a new boss with Premier League experience to guide them to safety.

They are offering a four-month contract with bonuses.

Gracia, 52, was at Watford between January 2018 to September 2019 and guided the club to Prem survival as well as the FA Cup final.

He is currently free and available after leaving Qatari club Al-Sadd.

It is believed former Liverpool, Newcastle and Everton chief Rafa Benitez, though, is not in the running for the vacant post.

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He is instead understood to be holding out for a different project, 13 months after leaving Goodison Park.

Leeds have a crunch home clash with rock-bottom Southampton on Saturday.