Javi Gracia linked to Villarreal post

Former Malaga Coach Javi Gracia (pictured) and current Villarreal B boss Javi Calleja are among the favourites to replace Fran Escriba at Villarreal.

The pair have been linked to the vacant managerial post by Spanish media outlet Cadena Ser.

Gracia, a former player for the Yellow Submarine, was recently dismissed from Rubin Kazan after a disappointing ninth-placed finish in the 16-team top tier in Russia despite a summer of heavy investment.

He won Segunda B titles with both Pontevedra and Cadiz in his early management career before going on to Coach Almeria, Osasuna and Malaga.

Despite financial constraints, Gracia guided the Costa del Sol side to a respectable 8th-placed finish in the 2015/16 campaign before moving to the Russian side.

Calleja also spent seven seasons at the club and after playing stints at Malaga and Osasuna, before returning to Villarreal as Coach of the youth team.

Escriba was dismissed as Coach at the Madrigal on Monday after winning only two of his side’s opening six La Liga fixtures and a 4-0 loss at Getafe on Sunday.

Tags Fran Escriba Javi Gracia
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