Paperwork may already be slowing Javi Gracia’s rate of progress at Leeds United, but the matches will come thick and fast once his feet are under the table. Assuming Southampton is the Spaniard’s first match in the dugout, the FA Cup trip to Fulham comes just three days later.
Another four days pass before it’s a return trip to SW6 against Chelsea. The Brighton & Hove Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers matches follow with clear weeks in between, where Gracia is sure to really knuckle down with the squad.
The big opportunity the new head coach will be looking forward to is at the end of March. The fortnight-long international break between the Wolves and Arsenal trips will be crucial, uninterrupted time on the training pitches for Gracia and his team.
