Javi Gracia lamented his team's inconsistency after losing to Bournemouth on Sunday. Credit: Getty Images/Warren Little
Leeds United's fight to survive escalates into crisis as head coach Javi Gracia faces sacking and players criticize themselves in a public statement for ignoring fans leaving their team's hotel.
Grace&# The future of the 39th is being considered by the Leeds board of directors after a fourth defeat in five matches, with the Spaniard facing the prospect of becoming the 15th managerial departure of the Premier League season.
Leeds are on the loose falling after a hard 4-1 defeat to Bournemouth on Sunday, which leaves the club just one point above the relegation zone with just one point out of a possible 15.
Grace is under serious pressure. from supporters, while the future of criticized sporting director Victor Horta has also been called into question.
Leeds' The players also took the remarkable step of issuing a pejorative apology to supporters after a video surfaced showing them seemingly disrecognizing young supporters as the team left the team's hotel ahead of the Bournemouth defeat.
“As the first Leeds United squad, we wanted to reach out to the fans about yesterday's game and the follow-up social media posts.” players wrote.
"Firstly, the performance was not good enough. There is no other way to look at it and the only way to answer is on the field. Leeds fans travel the country in huge numbers and deserve more.
“What concerns us as a group is the online video of us leaving the hotel. Words cannot express how sorry we are that the youngster in the video in Leeds uniform is not showing more love from the team. On the day of the match, we do an activation walk, before and after which we stop to take pictures and sign autographs, to make sure we communicate with the fans, and also to leave on time for the matches. However, there is no excuse for not acknowledging the fans, and if the parents of the fan wearing the Leeds uniform in the video could tell us about themselves, we would appreciate it.
“We do not believe this fight is over and we will continue until the last goal of the season is scored. Thanks again for your support."
Leaving the hotel 😳#LUFCAway pic.twitter.com/TyL9D25F1r
— ian (@igrattan ) April 30, 2023
One of the young fans of the viral clip was Dylan, 8 Whale, whose father John told the Yorkshire Evening Post that the video was taken out of context.
“We live in Southampton but heard that Dylan might get a chance to see his heroes in Bournemouth.” John Wale said.
"He had a fantastic day. Luke Ayling punched him, Javi Gracia came over and tickled his chin and chatted with him, Jack Harrison laughed with him, Adam Forshaw came down the stairs holding out his hand to high-five him, and Brenden Aaronson signed an autograph. Max Wober turned and said hello, Willy Gnonto said hello. He hummed. He has three autographs, we had a great day, that's all.
“The video only shows the players who didn’t say hello. We are very aware that they are under pressure, they are trying to stay in the Premier League and we are devastated because we do not want to participate in the negative press.
"As for me, they do not need to bring apologies. I don't want the players on the list.
The apology is the final blow to the club after a terrible run in which they lost four of their last five matches, conceding 18 goals. .
The former Watford manager was only appointed in February and despite an initial uptick in results, Leeds are in big trouble right now. Following the loss to Bournemouth, the Leeds United Supporters Advisory Board issued a statement of no confidence in the manager and board.
Leeds' The board held discussions on Monday and is considering firing Grazia and scheduling a brief meeting to try to spark a late revival. One option could be to reappoint respected coach Michael Skubala as interim manager. Scubala was named caretaker after the departure of Jesse Marsh in February and is well respected by the players and board of directors.
Horta was under intense scrutiny from the fans during the season and could also leave as it was known to be his choice . decision to appoint Gracia.
Leeds face a difficult end to the season with Manchester City, Newcastle, West Ham and Tottenham to play.
After Sunday, defeat , Gracia said: "It's hard to accept. So it was in the last three out of four games: we concede a goal, and after three or four minutes we concede the second. This is something we have to do better, because if you are not more consistent, it will be difficult to achieve results.
"For us, with only four games left, we must be very concentrated and we will try to give our all in the next game to get the result we need. What our fans really want is to see the team win. We are all upset, the fans too"
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