Not to be confused with Javi García.
Javi Gracia
Full nameJavier Gracia Carlos[1]
Birth date1 May 1970 (age 56)[1]
Birth placePamplona, Spain
Height1.85 m[1]
PositionDefensive midfielder
Youthyears 11977–1982
Youthclubs 1Osasuna
Youthclubs 2Chantrea
Youthclubs 3Athletic Bilbao
Years 11989–1992
Clubs 1Bilbao Athletic
Caps 1100
Goals 112
Years 21992–1993
Clubs 2Lleida
Caps 238
Goals 212
Years 31993–1995
Clubs 3Valladolid
Caps 365
Goals 32
Years 41995–1999
Clubs 4Real Sociedad
Caps 4106
Goals 412
Years 51999–2002
Clubs 5Villarreal
Caps 582
Goals 56
Years 62003–2004
Clubs 6Córdoba
Caps 639
Goals 60
Totalcaps430
Totalgoals44
Nationalyears 11989–1990
Nationalteam 1Spain U20
Nationalcaps 13
Nationalgoals 10
Nationalyears 21991
Nationalteam 2Spain U21
Nationalcaps 21
Nationalgoals 20
Manageryears 12004–2005
Managerclubs 1Villarreal (youth)
Manageryears 22007–2008
Managerclubs 2Pontevedra
Manageryears 32008–2010
Managerclubs 3Cádiz
Manageryears 42010–2011
Managerclubs 4Villarreal B
Manageryears 52011
Managerclubs 5Olympiacos Volos
Manageryears 62011–2012
Managerclubs 6Kerkyra
Manageryears 72012–2013
Managerclubs 7Almería
Manageryears 82013–2014
Managerclubs 8Osasuna
Manageryears 92014–2016
Managerclubs 9Málaga
Manageryears 102016–2017
Managerclubs 10Rubin Kazan
Manageryears 112018–2019
Managerclubs 11Watford
Manageryears 122020–2021
Managerclubs 12Valencia
Manageryears 132021–2022
Managerclubs 13Al Sadd
Manageryears 142023
Managerclubs 14Leeds United
Manageryears 152025–2026
Managerclubs 15Watford

Javier "Javi" Gracia Carlos (ˈxaβi ˈɣɾaθja;[a] born 1 May 1970) is a Spanish football manager and former player who played as a defensive midfielder.

He totalled 430 matches across both major levels of Spanish football, in a 15-year professional career. After retiring he began working as a manager, going on to coach several clubs in Spain, Greece and Russia before being appointed at Watford in January 2018.[2]

Gracia led Watford to their second FA Cup final in their history in 2019, but was sacked later the same year.[3] From June 2020 to May 2021 he worked with Valencia, and a year later he won the Qatar Stars League during a brief spell at Al Sadd before managing Leeds United for three months in 2023.

Playing career

Born in Pamplona, Navarre, Gracia started playing professionally with Bilbao Athletic, Athletic Bilbao's reserves, never appearing officially for the first team.[4] In the 1992–93 campaign, he scored a career-best 12 goals in all 38 games as Lleida returned to La Liga after an absence of more than 40 years, as champions.[5][6]

Gracia spent the following six seasons in the top flight, appearing regularly for both Real Valladolid and Real Sociedad until 1998–99 (15 matches, one goal).[7][8] In 1999, he returned to Segunda División and signed for Villarreal, helping the Valencian club to get promoted to the top division after one year and being regularly used the following campaign – 1,764 minutes of action – as the team retained their status.[9]

In February 2003, after being scarcely played in his last one and a half seasons at Villarreal, the 32-year-old Gracia joined Córdoba in the second level, closing out his career in June of the following year.[10][11] He appeared in 229 Spanish top-tier games over the course of nine seasons, netting 17 goals.[12]

Coaching career

Early years

After starting his managerial career with the youth sides of his former club Villarreal,[13] Gracia worked in the Segunda División B with Pontevedra, finishing first and second with the team in the regular season but always falling short in the promotion playoffs.[14]

In 2008–09, still in the third division, Gracia finally achieved promotion, now with Cádiz,[15] but he was fired midway through the following season[16] as the Andalusians were immediately relegated. In the 2010–11 campaign, with Villarreal's reserves, he managed to avert a drop also in the second tier, even though José Francisco Molina was in charge for the final four fixtures.[17][18]

Greece

In June 2011, Gracia was hired by Olympiacos Volos, who had finished fifth in the Super League Greece.[19] He debuted with the first European fixtures of his managerial career, eliminating Rad and Differdange from the UEFA Europa League qualifiers, but the team were then expelled from the top flight and European competition due to their alleged involvement in the Koriopolis match-fixing scandal.[20][21]

Having terminated his contract, Gracia remained in the same league for the rest of 2011–12 at Kerkyra.[22][23] He took the Corfu-based club to the last eight of the national cup, where they lost by a single goal at Asteras Tripolis.[24]

Almería

Gracia returned to his country in June 2012, being hired by Almería.[25] He led the team back to the top flight in his one season,[26] but left after failing to agree new terms.[27]

Osasuna

On 4 September 2013, Gracia was appointed at his hometown club Osasuna on a two-year deal, replacing the fired José Luis Mendilibar.[28] On his top-flight debut eleven days later, he lost 2–1 at Getafe.[29] His team were relegated in 18th place on the last day, ending 14 years in the top division, despite winning 2–1 against already condemned Real Betis;[30] results included heavy defeats against his former teams and rivals Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao and a 7–0 loss at Barcelona,[31][32][33] but also a 3–0 home win over reigning champions Atlético Madrid on 23 February 2014.[34]

Málaga

Gracia was named the new manager of Málaga on 30 May 2014.[35] During his two-year tenure, he led the team to the ninth[36] and eighth position, respectively.[37]

Rubin Kazan

Before the start of the 2016–17 season, Gracia joined Rubin Kazan.[38] After only achieving a ninth-place finish in the Russian Premier League, he left the club by mutual consent.[39]

Watford

On 21 January 2018, Gracia was named the new head coach of Watford on an 18-month contract following the dismissal of Marco Silva.[40] His first game in charge took place six days later, in a 1–0 away loss against Southampton in the fourth round of the FA Cup.[41]

In the 2018–19 campaign, Gracia again coached the team to safety in the Premier League, the 11th place being their highest since 1986–87,[42] and took them to the final of the FA Cup for the first time in 35 years and for only the second time in the club's history.[43] He was sacked on 7 September 2019, after a poor start to the season saw them bottom with just one point.[44]

Valencia

Gracia returned to Spain's top division on 27 July 2020, agreeing to a two-year deal at Valencia.[45] The following 3 May, after a 3–2 home defeat to Barcelona that left the side in 14th place, he was dismissed.[46]

Al Sadd

On 7 December 2021, Gracia was hired by Al Sadd in the Qatar Stars League, after his compatriot Xavi had left for Barcelona; he signed until 2023 with the option of one more year.[47] The following 21 February, the team retained their title with an 8–2 win over Al Ahli.[48] He then left and was replaced by a third Spaniard, Juan Manuel Lillo.[49]

Leeds United

On 21 February 2023, Gracia returned to England and its top flight after replacing the sacked Jesse Marsch at the helm of Leeds United.[50] The club announced the contract would be "flexible" but did not elaborate on that statement, further saying Gracia's appointment would be subject to the issuance of a work permit.[51] His debut took place four days later, a 1–0 home win over Southampton.[52]

Gracia was sacked on 3 May 2023, leaving the side 17th on the table with four fixtures remaining.[53][54] He defended his record, noting that he had taken the team out of the relegation zone and had earned more points in his 11 games than four clubs around them.[55]

Return to Watford

On 8 October 2025, Gracia returned to Watford for a second spell after Paulo Pezzolano was dismissed.[56] Following a winless run of four matches, he resigned on 1 February 2026.[57][58]

Personal life

Gracia's parents were both teachers.[59][60] He is married with three sons, two of whom are twins.[61]

Managerial statistics

Managerial record by team and tenure
TeamFromToRecordRef.
PWDLWin %
Pontevedra20 March 200730 June 2008[62]
Cádiz11 July 20089 January 2010[63]
Villarreal B24 June 201012 May 2011[64]
Olympiacos Volos7 June 201124 August 2011[65]
Kerkyra14 November 201128 March 2012[65]
Almería12 June 201228 June 2013[66]
Osasuna4 September 201330 May 2014[67]
Málaga30 May 201424 May 2016[68]
Rubin Kazan27 May 20168 June 2017[39][69]
Watford21 January 20187 September 2019[40]
Valencia27 July 20203 May 2021[45]
Al Sadd7 December 202118 June 2022
Leeds United21 February 20233 May 2023
Watford8 October 20251 February 2026
Career total—

Honours

Player

Lleida

Manager

Pontevedra

Cádiz

Watford

Al Sadd

Individual

Notes

  1. ^ In isolation, Gracia is pronounced ˈɡɾaθja.

References

  1. ^
  2. ^ "Javi Gracia, 300 partidos entre jugador y entrenador en Primera" [Javi Gracia, 300 matches combined as player and manager in Primera] (in Spanish). Mundo Deportivo. 11 May 2015. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
  3. ^ Unwin, Will (7 September 2019). "Watford sack Javi Gracia and reappoint Quique Sánchez Flores". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 December 2019.
  4. ^ "Gracia: "Las cifras goleadoras de Aduriz están por encima de la media"" [Gracia: "Aduriz's scoring figures are above the average"] (in Spanish). El Desmarque. 5 December 2015. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
  5. ^ "Se cumplen 20 años del último ascenso a Primera de la UE Lleida" [20 years from UE Lleida's last promotion to Primera] (in Spanish). Mundo Deportivo. 5 June 2013. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
  6. ^ Olcina Anaya, Felipe (10 March 2016). "El pasado futbolista de todos los técnicos de la Liga" [The footballing past of all the League's managers] (in Spanish). Sphera Sports. Archived from the original on 22 January 2018. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
  7. ^ Ormazabal, Mikel (11 January 1999). "La Real reparte beneficios de la miseria" [Real share benefits of misery] (in Spanish). El País. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
  8. ^ "Javier Gracia, nuevo técnico del Málaga Club de Fútbol" [Javier Gracia, new Málaga Club de Fútbol manager] (in Spanish). Málaga CF. 30 May 2014. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
  9. ^ "Memoria de La Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional | Temporada 2000/2001" [Memory of the Professional Football National League | 2000/2001 season] (in Spanish). La Liga. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
  10. ^ "Javi Gracia y Berruet se presentan con el Córdoba" [Javi Gracia and Berruet presented at Córdoba] (in Spanish). El Periódico Mediterráneo. 4 February 2003. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
  11. ^ "Javi Gracia y su última tarde de fútbol en el Córdoba" [Javi Gracia and his last football afternoon at Córdoba] (in Spanish). Cordópolis. 16 October 2014. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
  12. ^ Criado, José (31 October 2015). "'Pitu' Abelardo y Javi Gracia: compañeros y rivales" ['Pitu' Abelardo and Javi Gracia: mates and rivals] (in Spanish). La Opinión de Málaga. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
  13. ^ "Calleja: "Gracia es una referencia para los entrenadores que venimos de abajo"" [Calleja: "Gracia is a reference for us managers who come from below"] (in Spanish). El Desmarque. 10 February 2016. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
  14. ^ Martínez, Juan (2 June 2008). "Javi Gracia: "Me sentaré con el presidente, no quiero ser un obstáculo para el club"" [Javi Gracia: "I will sit down with the president, I don't want to stand in the club's way"] (in Spanish). Faro de Vigo. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
  15. ^ Ramírez, Álvaro (26 May 2009). "Javi Gracia será el entrenador en Segunda" [Javi Gracia will be the manager in Segunda] (in Spanish). El Desmarque. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
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  17. ^ "El excadista Javi Gracia, destituido en el Villarreal B por los malos resultados" [Ex-Cádiz Javi Gracia, dismissed in Villarreal B due to poor results] (in Spanish). La Voz Digital. 13 May 2011. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
  18. ^ "El Villarreal B aspira a ser el mejor filial del siglo XXI en 2ª A" [Villarreal B poised to be the best reserves of the 21st century in 2ª A] (in Spanish). El Periódico Mediterráneo. 31 May 2011. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
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  20. ^ "Olympiakos Volos and Kavala relegated in Greece". Daily Sabah. 29 July 2011. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  21. ^ "Olympiacos Volou appeal rejected". UEFA. 15 August 2011. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  22. ^ "Ανέλαβε την τεχνική ηγεσία της Κέρκυρας ο Χάβι Γκράθια" [Javi Gracia hired as manager of Kerkyra] (in Greek). To Vima. 14 November 2011. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  23. ^ Ardila, Alberto (29 May 2014). "Javi Gracia, la serenidad y el trabajo a discreción al servicio de La Rosaleda" [Javi Gracia, serenity and discrete work at the service of La Rosaleda] (in Spanish). Vavel. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
  24. ^ "Σολάκης: "Έχω απωθημένο τη συμμετοχή στον τελικό"" [Solakis: "I'm afraid to participate in the final"] (in Greek). Sport FM. 24 February 2012. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  25. ^ "Xavi Gracia, técnico del Almería" [Xavi Gracia, manager of Almería] (in Spanish). Diario AS. 12 June 2012. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
  26. ^ "Almería 3–0 Girona: Los andaluces, el vigésimo pasajero de Primera" [Almería 3–0 Girona: The Andalusians, Primera's twentieth passenger] (in Spanish). Goal. 22 June 2013. Retrieved 1 November 2013.
  27. ^ "Javi Gracia no seguirá entrenando al Almería" [Javi Gracia will not continue as Almería coach] (in Spanish). Goal. 28 June 2013. Retrieved 1 November 2013.
  28. ^ "La Liga: Osasuna name former Almeria boss Javi Gracia as their new coach". Sky Sports. 4 September 2013. Retrieved 21 September 2013.
  29. ^ "Javi Gracia: "A día de hoy somos muy blandos y muy cándidos"" [Javi Gracia: "Today we are very soft and very candid"] (in Spanish). Marca. 15 September 2013. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  30. ^ "Osasuna desciende a Segunda División" [Osasuna go down to Segunda División] (in Spanish). Cadena SER. 18 May 2014. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  31. ^ "El Real Madrid sufre pero le gana al Rayo" [Real Madrid suffer but beat Rayo] (in Spanish). BBC Mundo. 2 November 2013. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  32. ^ "El Athletic golea en Pamplona y se consolida en la cuarta plaza" [Athletic rout in Pamplona and consolidate themselves in fourth place] (in Spanish). RTVE. 26 January 2014. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  33. ^ Jurejko, Jonathan (16 March 2014). "Barcelona 7–0 Osasuna". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  34. ^ "Osasuna 3–0 Atlético Madrid". BBC Sport. 23 February 2014. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  35. ^ "La Liga: Javi Gracia named the new manager of Malaga". Sky Sports. 30 May 2014. Retrieved 19 June 2014.
  36. ^ "El Málaga confirma la marcha de Javi Gracia al Rubin Kazán" [Málaga confirm departure of Javi Gracia to Rubin Kazan] (in Spanish). Levante-EMV. 25 May 2016. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  37. ^ "El Málaga repitió el octavo puesto de las temporadas 2001–02 y 2008–09" [Málaga repeated eighth place of 2001–02 and 2008–09 seasons] (in Spanish). La Vanguardia. 16 May 2016. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  38. ^ "Javi Gracia ficha por el Rubin Kazan" [Javi Gracia signs for Rubin Kazan] (in Spanish). Sport. 22 May 2016. Retrieved 27 August 2017.
  39. ^ "ru:Хавьер Грасия покидает «Рубин»" [Javier Gracia leaves Rubin] (in Russian). FC Rubin Kazan. 8 June 2017. Archived from the original on 11 June 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
  40. ^ "Gracia named Hornets' head coach". Watford F.C. 21 January 2018. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
  41. ^ O'Keeffe, Greg (27 January 2018). "Southampton 1–0 Watford". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
  42. ^ Bradshaw, Joe (12 May 2019). "Watford 1–4 West Ham: Clinical Hammers secure top-10 finish". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 June 2023.
  43. ^ "Watford stage classic FA Cup comeback to beat Wolves in semi-final". The Sydney Morning Herald. 8 April 2019. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
  44. ^ Jackson, Elliot (7 September 2019). "Quique Sanchez Flores replaces Javi Garcia at Watford as Hornets turn to former boss". Evening Chronicle. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
  45. ^ "Official statement | Javi Gracia". Valencia CF. 27 July 2020. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
  46. ^ "El Valencia destituye al técnico Javi Gracia después de perder contra el Barça" [Valencia dismiss manager Javi Gracia after losing against Barça] (in Spanish). El Periódico. 3 May 2021. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
  47. ^ Gray, Ryan (7 December 2021). "Former Watford boss Javi Gracia named Al Sadd coach". Watford Observer. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  48. ^ "Unstoppable Al Sadd rout Al Ahli to retain title in style". Gulf Times. 21 February 2022. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  49. ^ "Lillo replaces Gracia as Al Sadd coach". The Peninsula. 18 June 2022. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
  50. ^ "Javi Gracia agrees to become Leeds United head coach". Leeds United F.C. 21 February 2023. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  51. ^ Sharma, Hritika & Boyle, Jon (21 February 2023). "Leeds name ex-Watford boss Javi Gracia as manager". Reuters. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  52. ^ Dawkes, Phil (25 February 2023). "Leeds United 1–0 Southampton". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  53. ^ Pope, Adam & Falkingham, Katie (2 May 2023). "Leeds set to sack manager Javi Gracia and in talks with Sam Allardyce". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  54. ^ Nair, Rohith; Herman, Martyn; Osmond, Ed (3 May 2023). "Leeds sack Gracia with relegation looming, Allardyce takes over". Reuters. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  55. ^ "Leeds United: Javi Gracia defends record after being replaced by Sam Allardyce". BBC Sport. 4 May 2023. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  56. ^ "Watford sack Pezzolano and reappoint Gracia". BBC Sport. 8 October 2025. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
  57. ^ "Club statement: Javi Gracia". Watford F.C. 1 February 2026. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
  58. ^ "Watford boss Gracia resigns after three months". BBC Sport. 1 February 2026. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  59. ^ Ciriza, Alejandro & Pérez, Gorka (26 April 2014). ""Hubiera sido futbolista toda la vida"" ["I would have been a footballer all my life"] (in Spanish). El País. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
  60. ^ Liew, Jonathan (15 March 2019). "Watford vs Crystal Palace: 'We have values other clubs don't have. We are a family. We have solidarity' – the Javi Gracia interview". The Independent. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
  61. ^ Affleck, Kevin (6 April 2019). "Gracia: "My sons are singing the songs"". Watford F.C. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
  62. ^
  63. ^
  64. ^
  65. ^
  66. ^
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  69. ^ "Javi Gracia Carlos signs as Rubin Kazan boss". The Score. 27 May 2016. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
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  72. ^ McNulty, Phil (18 May 2019). "Manchester City 6–0 Watford". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
  73. ^ "Manager profile: Javier Gracia". Premier League. Retrieved 19 September 2018.