Agbonlahor shares verdict on Leeds United replacing Javi Gracia as surprise new target identified
Gabby Agbonlahor has claimed Leeds United should not be bound to keep Javi Gracia at the club if he manages to keep them in the Premier League.
The former Aston Villa striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested the Whites should pull the trigger if a more attractive manager target becomes available in the summer.
According to talkSPORT (31 March), Leeds could offer Patrick Vieira an immediate return to management this summer after his Crystal Palace sacking earlier this month.
Current Whites boss Gracia is only under contract at Elland Road until the end of the season after he replaced Jesse Marsch earlier this year.
The Spaniard has lifted Leeds to 14th in the Premier League table – but they are still just two points above the drop zone with 11 games left to play.
They are next in action against league leaders Arsenal on Saturday (1 April).
Agbonlahor told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “I don’t think they owe Gracia anything if he keeps them up.
“They might want someone with a different style, a different pedigree. They are well within their rights to look somewhere else.
“Vieira obviously did ok at Palace but it didn’t work out for him there. It’s difficult to say whether he would do any better at Leeds if they stay in the Premier League.
“But come the summer, there may be an even more attractive option available – someone better than Vieira and Gracia.”
In other news, Football Insider updates with Leeds United in late move to hijack Aston Villa deal.