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Javi Gracia set to be appointed as new Leeds United manager

Danny Jones - 21st February 2023

Javi Gracia is set to be appointed as the new Leeds United manager, according to reports, bringing the search for a replacement to a close after just over a fortnight.

As per the BBC, the former Watford boss is soon to be named as Jesse Marsch's successor after the American coach was sacked on 6 February.

The Spaniard has previously coached in the Premier League as well as in Spain, Greece, Russia and most recently in the Middle East, but was sacked by Qatari club Al Sadd SC back in June 2022.

Now, though, it looks like the 52-year-old — who boasts just 18 wins in his 56 matches in the English top-flight — will be trusted to shepherd the Whites to safety.

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Despite it being stated that under-21 boss Michael Skubala would take interim charge for the remainder of the season, club owner Andrea Radrizzani did insist upon a quick appointment with the club currently sat in the relegation places.

It still remains unconfirmed as to whether or not Gracia will be brought into the club immediately or at the start of next season, but with Leeds languishing in the drop zone (19th on the same amount of points), an immediate move seems crucial.

With an average of 1.18 points per game before he was sacked by Watford in September 2019, he guided the Hornets to an 11th-place finish and their first FA Cup final in 35 years in the 2018/19 season.

Will he be the right man to keep them in the Prem?

Featured Image — Watford FC (via Twitter)/Wikimedia Commons

Sport

Vision to host the Olympics in the North of England takes huge step forward

The government has taken a serious step forward in its vision to bring an Olympic and Paralympic Games bid to the north of England.

A strategic assessment has officially been commissioned to see if the first northern Olympics could be viable in the 2040s.

The assessment will test the impact that hosting could have on the North’s regeneration and growth.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has said that our corner of the country produces some of the UK’s finest sporting talent, but that the region itself has been overlooked for hosting a global event of this size.

She said that the government is now ‘starting the firing gun on a long overdue vote of confidence in the North’.

An initial strategic assessment has been commissioned from UK Sport to see whether the UK could host an Olympic and Paralympic Games up north.

Manchester is already home to world-class cycling facility, the National Cycling Centre. Credit: Unsplash, Dylan Nolte

It will assess key factors such as potential cost, socioeconomic benefit and any bid’s chance of success.

Lisa Nandy said: “London 2012 showed what the Olympics can do for our country. It inspired a generation through sport, attracted huge investment and showed the best of Britain to the world.

“But while the North of England has driven so much sporting excellence, no matter the talent we produce, the sporting moments we create, and the world-class events we attract – for too long we have been told the Olympics is simply too big and too important to be hosted in the North.

“Not any more. It’s time the Olympics came North and we showed what we can offer to the world. I couldn’t be more pleased to announce that we’re starting the firing gun on a long overdue vote of confidence in the North.”

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, said: “Britain’s sporting prowess is recognised and respected around the world. It’s something we are determined to capitalise on to breathe life into our communities and build a stronger and more secure economy.

“That’s why we’re throwing our full support behind bringing the Games back home which will boost our Northern Growth Corridor. It’s also why we’re backing stadium regeneration plans, like at Elland Road, to deliver new homes, business opportunities and public spaces in Leeds and beyond.”

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Chair of The Great North, North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said: “From our great cities and towns to our coastlines and countryside, the North has the venues, the passion and the sporting pride to deliver a world-class Olympic and Paralympic Games that showcases the very best of Great Britain to the world.

“A Great North Olympics would be a global showcase, leaving a legacy of prosperity, unity and renewal. It’s an opportunity not to be missed, delivering transformational investment in transport, regeneration and public spaces across the North of England.

“This could become the most people-powered Games ever hosted: inspiring millions of people into sport, volunteering and community action.”

The news comes ahead of a major sporting summer for the UK, which includes events like the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, and the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes Grands Départs.

The Government is already backing bids to host the World Athletics and Para-Athletics Championships in 2029, as well as the 2035 FIFA Women’s World Cup, as part of its commitment to driving a decade of change in women’s sport.

Read more: Hollywood actor Stanley Tucci spotted in Ilkley at local coffee shop

Featured image: The Manc Group

Sport

A huge new venue designed for 1,000 fans to watch the World Cup is coming to Leeds city centre

Clementine Hall

Trinity Kitchen will turn into one of the city’s biggest hotspots to watch the World Cup this summer.

The space is getting ready to be transformed into an evening fan zone with three super-size screens, a brand-new bar, DJs, brass bands and space for up to 1,000 supporters.

The space will be completely free to attend and will open just in time for the start of the tournament on Thursday 11 June.

And before you worry about getting a seat, fans will have the option of booking tables for England’s games.

It doesn't stop there, as it has also been announced that award-winning Leeds independent brewery Northern Monk will open in Trinity Kitchen for the first time.

Image: Supplied

The ‘Northern Monk Trinity Tap’ will feature two, seven-metre bars, 20 beer taps, whilst 11 street food vendors will be serving match day meals and snacks to keep you fuelled through the games.

Josie Towning, Food and Beverage Manager at Trinity Leeds, said: “Trinity Kitchen will operate as normal during the day, transforming into a football fan zone in the evening.

“It will be one of the biggest World Cup venues in Leeds with three huge screens showing the games live and more dotted around Trinity Kitchen. There will be live roaming brass bands and DJs turning every England fixture into a true celebration.

“Fans can turn up and grab a space for free and we will also be offering table bookings for England games for those who want to guarantee the best spots to watch the drama unfold.

“Our line-up of street food vendors will serve bold flavours from around the world, while the all-new Northern Monk Trinity Tap will pour award-winning craft beers across 20 taps, making Trinity Kitchen the ultimate place to eat, drink and experience every unforgettable World Cup moment."

You can find out more here.

Read more: The Yorkshire designer who’s put together the official FIFA World Cup scarf collection

Featured image - Supplied