Noticeably "Russified" Javier Gracia today will lead the Kazan "Rubin" to the football field of Makhachkala. A few days ago, the Spanish specialist answered questions from the sports editorial staff of Realnoe Vremya and Rubin fans from among the Rubin Goods subscribers (community in VK). The head coach of the "Ruby" frankly answered the burning questions about Solomon Kverkvelia, Gekdeniz Karadeniz and other "pain points" of the team. About this, as well as about "tiki-taka", Josep Guardiola and even hockey "Ak Bars" - read in an exclusive interview with Javier Gracia.
"I'm ready for anything for Rubin, but let's leave the hair alone"
- They say that no one removed the task of getting the team to the Europa League. This is true?
I know that journalists like to talk about these tasks. Probably no one heard me say that going to Europe was one of the clear tasks either at the beginning of the season or now. I didn't say that and I don't intend to. I'm not saying we can't do it. But it is true that at the time of signing my contract, it was said that many players, assistants, had an adaptation period during the first year and an attempt to strive for this task in the next two seasons.
We decided to dilute the editorial questions with the most curious questions from the fans. In continuation of the topic of tasks, a question from Pastor Zhora. “Xavi, are you ready to shave your head baldly and train bald all next season if we enter the Eurocups?”
- (Carefully touches a well-groomed hairstyle) I think that I'm not at that age for such things. I am ready for a lot for the success of Rubin, almost everything, but let's leave the hair alone ( laughs).
It seemed that at the training camp in the match with Spartak, Rubin reached the peak of form, and then a decline began. Is there such a thing or did it seem to me?
I think there were different matches, and we played very well in all of them. Against Spartak, who wanted to win the match, it seemed easier to find opportunities to attack. With the Norwegians, who closed more, it was more difficult. But I'm satisfied.
For most of the season, the fans were indignant that Karadeniz did not play. According to the training camp, it seemed that at the age of 37 he is still the strongest attacking player in Rubin. And what do you think?
This is the opinion of the fans. But in the first phase of the season, Karadeniz participated, played in important matches. And the results were not very good. Then he played less often, but this does not mean that I am dissatisfied with the work of the player. I think he did an exceptional job this offseason. At the moment, he is a player who offers us an alternative and other opportunities in our attack, as in the case of Jonatas, Kanunnikov. At his age, Karadeniz should not be a player who must bear responsibility for all games and minutes. I see it this way. He has to contribute something special and not play in every match. I think that his participation should be different, important. He can get a lot of time, but not necessarily always and in all important matches.
Probably no one heard me say that going to Europe was one of the clear tasks either at the beginning of the season or now. I didn't say it and I don't intend to.
Question from Alexander Morozov. Why does Maxime Lestienne always play out of position on the left? And why does the Belgian have so little playing time?
Because, after all, there are 11 players. In those moments when we choose other players, we think that they are in better fit. I think Lestienne can play in different positions. Obviously, he has the qualities of a striker and can play on any flank. He can be a striker. This is my vision. He's always played like this in his career: left wing, right wing. This is not my whim, but his qualities.
“I don’t want to talk bad about Solomon”
Question from Igor Orlov. Why was Sergio Sanchez better than Solomon Kverkvelia? Age, experience, speed, desire to play for Rubin, personal qualities?
These are different players. Solomon, like Carlos Zambrano and Sergio Sanchez, takes the position of a legionnaire. As for the attack, the dignity of Carlos and Sergio, perhaps higher. But I would not like to say who is better, because that would mean that the other is worse. And I don't want to speak ill of Solomon. He is a very good player. I don't think that three legionnaires in one position is good for the team.
Was the economic side taken into account? Kverkvelia is younger and more expensive. Sanchez is older and cheaper. It is obvious that the first one will grow in price, while the second one will not.
Do not know. We do not know what will happen to the price of Solomon and Sergio. One of Sergio's virtues is that he can play as a full-back on the right flank, as he has already played in this position at Rubin. This is one of the advantages of Sergio, in comparison with Solomon. Everything else - details, talk about who is better and worse - what I don't want to do. I appreciate Solomon as a person and professional and wish him all the best. But decisions need to be made. The price tag on the transfer market is a relative thing.
There were rumors that the club planned to part ways with Song in the winter. But he's on the team. In terms of collections, what do you think, will he add in the second part of the season?
I think he did a good job. He had an ailment in the last phase of preparation due to a blow in the test match. However, of course, I expect more from Alex. I think we all need to wait for more returns. In my opinion, he has not shown his level yet.
It seems that Nabiullin has become more reliable in defense. How do you assess his progress in Rubin during your work?
Yes, I think this player has improved. And this is logical. He is young, gaining experience in matches and he has a desire to learn. I think that this is possible thanks to the work. First of all, he improved his work in defense.
- Question from Marat Suleymanov. Is there any prospect of seeing Nabiullina on the left flank of midfield?
I don't think this is Nabis' position. But he can play there. Sometimes it is also necessary to duplicate full-backs in the lane so that both players become full-backs. Bauer, by the way, can also play there. I like that our full-backs have attacking qualities.
Considering the future form of the team, I would like to thank Devic for what he has done for Rubin. I think that he did a lot and did it well until the last day. In the future, we would need to think about an alternative, about younger players.
"I was happy with Maga, but he wanted to play more!"
Question from Almaz Nasybullin. What was the conversation with Ozdoev about? What did you say to him that the next day he flew to Grozny.
And when was that?
- Video got into the network from training at the training camp
- (Surprised) Filmed, right? When I spoke to him, he explained his situation to me. Said he wanted more game minutes. I was happy with this player. He seems to have had a good pre-season, sometimes playing over midfield. I thought he was a player who could give the team a lot. But Maga wanted to play more.
- Many experts say that he did not grow up in Rubin. Why?
We are talking about a player who was called up to the Russian national team in recent matches. As I said, this player has a future. V Lately we decided to place him above the midfield, but in a support with two players in the center. His position is APC or third central midfielder with an emphasis on attack.
- Question from Albert Sabitov. Do you see Akhmetov as a future Russian football star?
I believe in him. I really want him to add. He studies, works hard, has various technical advantages. He needs experience and physical development. As they say in Russia, "grow meat." I see him as a player with a great future. Just like in Makhatadze, Zhemaletdinov and other young players.
With the departure of Devic, the clean forward in the team was left alone - Jonatas. This is fine? Still, Kanunnikov, Lestienne, Karadeniz are more accustomed to playing in other positions?
Considering the future form of the team, I would like to thank Devic for what he has done for Rubin. I think that he did a lot and did it well until the last day. In the future, we would need to think about an alternative, about younger players.
- But there will be no problems with the fact that only Jonatas is left?
Devic could extend his contract by two or more years. But next year we would have to pick a younger striker. I am not saying that Marco is not a guarantee. He is a goal guarantee. If he was with us, the team would be more balanced, with more opportunities. But his contract situation played an important role.
- In this window, "Rubin" did not buy anyone. It suits you? Are there any positions in the team that need to be strengthened?
In my opinion, I have the best team in the world. I have no choice. For me, my players are the best. I need to make them the best. Now I need to work on recoil. Today we have 23 players, which is much less than at the beginning of the season. There were players who trained separately from the team. There were 30 of us. I think that this process is also left behind. Now you need to try to make the team more accurate, more competitive each time and with a desire for higher tasks.
"Arthur is a good translator, but he does not want to become a coach"
- Question from Bulat Fakhrutdinov. Everyone was delighted with the video of the work of your translator. Is Arthur the next Mourinho?
Arthur is a very important person for me, because he is something like my voice. I think he does a very difficult and good job. The video, which was filmed in Spain, became the news in all television broadcasts in Spain. This is a job that a good translator does. I'm already joking, calling him not Arthur, but Arturiño.
There are players whom I know better, which is logical, I can orient and tell about their work, about past stages with me. There are players who are known for monitoring clubs and previous stages. As a result, it is a collaborative process
- So he has the makings of a coach?
Do not know. You need to ask him. But I think not, he does not want to become a coach.
- You can put in a word in the lower leagues of Spain about a young coach ...
- (laughing) I think that he is happy in his city, that he loves his city very much and is not ready to leave.
- Question from Almaz Nasybullin: Miranchuk - your idea or guidance?
Miranchuk is a young player from Russia with a great future as he is already a major player in his team. There were many rumors about his arrival. In the end, he's not here. I don't think I should talk about foreign players.
In general, what is the degree of your participation in the club's transfers? Or is your task to work with those who will be bought by management?
There are players whom I know better, which is logical, I can orient and tell about their work, about past stages with me. There are players who are known for monitoring clubs and previous stages. As a result, it is a collaborative process.
Is it normal, in your opinion, that, having such a stadium as the Kazan Arena, Rubin is still sometimes forced to play at the Central?
These are not decisions that depend on what I say. This is due to the climate, the upcoming Confederations Cup, World Cup. I don't know many things. If they ask me where I want to play, I will prefer Kazan Arena, of course. But it doesn't depend on me. I don't attach much importance to this.
“Our goal is three points in the match against Anji.
- Which of the Russian Rubin players surprised you in good and bad ways?
The ability to surprise arises when you do not expect anything and everything happens in spite of. I always expected growth from my players, which is happening with us. I was surprised by the constancy, the desire to develop among the Russians in Rubin. But I wouldn't be able to personalize it in one or two players. They have evolved along with the team. I mean the results, the game. Speaking of Nabiullin: Elmir's progress is linked to the growth of Burlak, other players who play less like Ustinov. I think we are all getting better. As is the coach.
Only 5 points to the Europa League zone. Describe the strengths and weaknesses of Rubin's main competitors in the fight for 4th place in the standings?
I don't like to talk about possible competitors. Our task is 3 points in the match against Anji. I don't know how many points in the table we need to be in the top four. But I'm sure we need 3 points in Makhachkala. This is our competitor. I will not talk about Lokomotiv, Terek, other teams that may become our competitors. We'll see. As for the cup, our next match with Ural is important, of course.
I was surprised by the constancy, the desire to develop among the Russians in Rubin. But I wouldn't be able to personalize it in one or two players. They have evolved with the team
How can you explain the paradox of performances of Russian clubs in European competitions? "Rich" ("Zenith" and "CSKA") fail, and "poor" "Krasnodar" and "Rostov" go further.
I don't think they are poor.
- Concerning "Zenith" and "CSKA"?
And compared to us. As for Zenit, they lost in the last seconds, minutes. The club also did a lot to continue on its path. Krasnodar played well in two matches. They deserved this exit, as did Rostov. These are organized teams that work well and will definitely create problems for Espanyol and Celta or Manchester United. This has already happened, because Rostov lost the match against Atlético Madrid in just one action. And beat Bayern.
Spartak is a strong candidate for champions this season"
- Can you imagine that Barcelona cannot win any title for 13 years: neither the championship nor the cup?
It's completely impossible.
So, the Spartak team, comparable in terms of titles in the domestic arena, proves that nothing is impossible. Will Spartak become a champion after 13 years without any titles?
Did not know ( laughs). Spartak had a very good first part of the season. Yes, they have done this many times in previous seasons. But in the second part they were unable to maintain the form. But I think that Spartak is a strong candidate for champions this season.
- Question from Ruzal Abdullin. Whose game from the Premier League teams do you like best?
I like Ruby. He's mine. I really appreciate mine. I believe in our work, I believe that we will play better every time and get top scores. I really believe. I don't want to talk about other teams.
According to the training camp, it was clear that you are in good shape as a football player. If you were a player, for what RFPL club And under whose direction would you like to play?
I do not want to underestimate any team and coach. I might go back to Spain. I think that the player and the coach should go where they want to see him. Few players and coaches have a choice. Therefore, I would wait to find out which club and which coach would like to see me. I would look to see who is interested in me as a player, as a person, and then live up to that belief so as not to disappoint anyone.
Fans never get tired of joking about the fact that you held three training camps in Spain on purpose to extend your personal vacation?
Vacation? Not ( laughs). When we had three days of rest, I flew to Kazan with some of the staff to see my family. My family is here. No vacation. Of course, I went to the training camp with the team in Spain, there are good conditions. It was comfortable for many reasons. But the most important thing is that the working conditions are good. It doesn't matter if it's Spain or another country.
- You have been in Kazan for quite some time. Did you get to play hockey?
- "AK Bars" ( three hand claps), "AK Bars" ( three hand claps). For a long time they were losing, and then they won the match. I was satisfied because I went to the match, the team won. I think one of the things I have to try when I am in Kazan is that going to a hockey game with my family is an experience that I should enjoy with them. My children must enjoy the snow. In Spain they would enjoy other things, but here I have to try to make them enjoy the local entertainment, which is plentiful. You need to be positive.
I think one of the things I have to try when I am in Kazan is that going to a hockey game with my family is an experience that I should enjoy with them.
Guardiola can't repeat Barça at Bayern or Muncity
Let's talk a little about Spanish football. "Barcelona" this season does not shine and can fly out of the Champions League in record time. What are the reasons?
- (Furrowing his brow, he shakes his head.). Hasn't flown yet! I think PSG is a great team, with a great coach, my friend. But if anyone is capable of completely changing this result, it is Barcelona. And then they played an important match against Atlético Madrid and managed to win 1-2. They fight in the league, they got to the cup final, where there is neither Real Madrid nor Atlético Madrid. Let's see what happens in the Champions League. Of course, it will be difficult, but we'll see.
Under Guardiola, “tiki-taka” became very fashionable, but according to the current realities, it seems that she worked only in Barcelona named after Xavi and Iniesta, and not Pep. Your opinion?
This "tiki-taka" appeared in Spain from the game between Barcelona and the national team. This style of play is based on the high quality technique of individual players. There was a very good generation of players. Guardiola, Luis Aragones and del Bosque in the national team have created a very balanced team. It is very difficult to make Barcelona play in the same manner over time because there is no Xavi, Puyol. Many different players come. The team will play differently. And Guardiola's coach at Bayern and Muncity can't repeat Barcelona. Even if we are talking about one coach. He needs to play what his new players can play and play against teams that play differently from theirs. I say this based on personal experience. Both in Malaga and here. We talked about the players, I also had to go through this process, despite the huge number of videos that I saw before arriving. I needed to take a closer look, make mistakes, experience in order to learn and become better.
- It seems to me that Guardiola is mistakenly trying to play the same game as Barcelona. What do you think?
Do not know. I cannot dare to say whether he is mistaken or not. I think Guardiola is a great coach. Perhaps like you?
- No better than Javier Gracia, in my opinion.
Thank you ( laughs). I think all coaches at the level of European top clubs are good. Everything. Coaches are people, they make mistakes, they do something well, and something bad. But the responsibility for the game or the result of the team is not only the coach. He takes responsibility because it's our job and it will be. But everyone must be held accountable.
"I am not superstitious"
Finally, a few more questions from Rubin fans that we haven't asked yet. Max Varshavsky is interested in: what brand is your mobile phone?
Apple ( shows "iPhone").
- TeddGrey: what words in Tatar do you know?
Yes, I know a couple. I knew how "beautiful" would be.
- Mathur?
Exactly, mother! The other day I was in a Tatar restaurant and ate this ( thinks). Pochmak!
I think all coaches at the level of European top clubs are good. Everything. Coaches are people, they make mistakes, they do something well, and something bad. But the responsibility for the game or the result of the team is not only the coach
- Ksenia Pechenkina: is there any ritual for good luck before important matches?
I do not think that the result of the match depends on it. You need to prepare well for the match, work hard. I am not superstitious.
- Artur Mokeev: when will Rubin become the champion?
Let's hope soon.
- The question is from him: have you already understood that money is everything in Russia?
I don't know if they decide everything. But I don't like it.
After the interview, Javier Gracia congratulated Realnoe Vremya's sports editor Artur Khalilullov on his birthday
Artur Khalilullov, translation by Aigul Ziyatdinova, photo by Oleg Tikhonov
With the Spaniard head coach by mutual agreement of the parties.
The following is a biographical information about the coach.
Spanish footballer and coach Javier "Javi" Gracia Carlos (Javier "Javi" Gracia Carlos) was born on May 1, 1970 in Pamplona, Spain.
He began his career as a football player in 1989 at the Athletic Bilbao club, of which he is a pupil. For three years he played in the second line-up, he was not involved in the main team. He acted as a midfielder.
In 1992, he moved to Lleida from Lleida, who were promoted to the top flight.
From 1995 to 1999 he played for Real Sociedad, where he scored 12 goals in 106 matches. In the playing career of Xavi Gracia, this was the longest stay in the same club.
From 1999 to 2002, the midfielder played for Villarreal.
Gracia spent the 2002/03 and 2003/04 seasons playing for Cordoba. In 2004, he completed his football career.
Between 2004 and 2005, Javi Gracia worked as a coach in one of the youth teams of Villarreal.
From 2006 to 2008 he coached the team of the third most important football league Spain "Pontevedra", with which they consistently became the first and second in the regular season, but both times failed to achieve promotion in the class following the results of the playoff draw.
From 2008 to 2010, Javi Gracia was the coach of another third division team, Cadiz. With her, in the very first year of work, he achieved an increase in the class, but after an unsuccessful start to the second season, he was fired already in the middle of the championship.
In the 2010/11 season, he coached the second team of Villarreal, in the 2012/13 season - Almeria.
"Rubin" chose the wrong coach who does not know Russian football - Karadeniz >>>
He also had experience of coaching in Greece - in the teams "Olympiacos" (Volos) and "Kerkyra".
In September 2013, Gracia took over from Pamplona's Osasuna José Luis Mendilibar as manager of the Spanish Premier League for the first time. However, he could not save her from relegation - "Osasuna" took 18th place in the tournament, after which Gracia left the club.
Since May 2014, he has been the head coach of Spanish side Malaga. In the 2015/16 season, the team under his leadership took eighth place in the Spanish championship.
On May 24, 2016, Gracia left the post of head coach of Malaga, on his own initiative, terminating the current agreement, and a few days later he signed a four-year contract with Rubin. The media reported that the salary of the Spanish specialist will be about 2.5 million euros per year.
Under the leadership of Gracia, Rubin took ninth place in the RFPL in the 2016/17 season, and reached the semi-finals in the Russian Cup, where he lost to Ural Yekaterinburg.
“The decision to leave Malaga was given to me with great difficulty, but Rubin made an offer that cannot be refused,” the unexpected decision of Javi Gracia surprised not only the fans of the Andalusian club who did not want to part with him, but ... and many fans " Rubin". And also caused. Not everyone knows the name of this Spanish specialist, not to mention professional features.
“And who is this anyway?”, “Hey, editors, you have a mistake in your last name - he’s Garcia!”: Such comments under the news about the appointment of a new head coach of Rubin indicate that they need to be introduced.
What happened before Malaga
At the age of 19, Gracia began his professional career: he was listed as part of Athletic Bilbao. “Recorded” because for three years he did not play a single match for
first team. His entire playing career was spent in the middle peasants: Valladolid, Cordoba, Villarreal (before the European Cup era), and the defensive midfielder spent the best season individually in the modest Lleida in the Segunda. There, Gracia was the leader of the team, scored 13 goals in a season, and his club became the champion and advanced to the Example.
The main achievement of Xavi Gracia as a football player can be considered four seasons at Real Sociedad. There he played a little with Valery Karpin and finished third in the Spanish Championship in the 1997/98 season, ahead of Real Madrid. But he did not have a solid place in the squad and again went to the Segunda - just to Villarreal, which earned a promotion the next season.
After completing his playing career, Gracia worked for some time with the Villarreal youth team, and then took a break, and only two years later Xavi made another attempt to become a coach. Over the past eight years, he managed to change eight clubs. Among them was such a pleasant place of work as "Kerkyra" from the Greek resort island of Corfu (stadium capacity - 2600 spectators). In September 2013, Gracia took over the team from La Liga, Osasuna. That team is remembered for the game of Oriol Riera (13 goals in the championship), as well as the fact that they tied at home with Barcelona and Real Madrid. True, on the road, Osasuna got 0:7 and 0:4, respectively, and at the end of the season they flew out of the elite. After that, Gracia signed a contract with Malaga.
Period in Malaga
The Andalusian club took a risk by inviting a coach with rather dubious achievements, but the Malaga management did not have much choice. It is worth recalling that Malaga is a failed nouveau riche, a club that was bought by Qatari businessman Sheikh Al-Thani. Then the team of Manuel Pellegrini was one step away from the semifinals of the Champions League, had a completely combat-ready squad, with Isco, Tulalan and Demichelis, and could spend more than 20 million euros on a promising Santi Cazorlu... But after a couple of years, Al-Thani lost interest in the club. Were sold all the players for which it was possible to gain at least some money. Pellegrini left, followed by Bernd Schuster. The budget was radically reduced - in two years it decreased three (!) times.
And the club has relied on young people, as well as on a coach who knows how to work with young people - the undemanding Javi Gracia. The summer when Gracia became Malaga coach, the team sold five players for a total of 20 million euros, and acquired eight for 1 million 200 thousand euros. With this squad, Gracia took ninth place in the championship, beating Barcelona on the road in the process. Note that this did not happen in November, when Messi had a conflict with Enrique and the Catalans were in a fever, but at the end of February, when Barca was almost crowned ... One of the Spanish sports publications called that match a “tactic lesson” for Enrique from Javi Gracia : Malaga showed perfect compactness and played disciplined defense. Moreover, the teams delivered equally (!) shots on goal.
Gracia put together a strong team of young and unknown players, and a year later ... it was sold out. Sergi Darder left for 12 million, Amrabat left, Juanmi left. Of the €40+ million made for players, management has invested in new acquisitions… about €5m. But the coach seems to have set up a smooth pipeline of quality players coming out of nowhere.
pupil Jose Recio, striker Duye Chop(transfer price - 700 thousand), Huangpi instead of Juanmi- and Malaga finished this season even higher than a year ago, in eighth place. Snobs will notice that the gap from the sixth, European Cup place was 12 points, but it can be argued that the cost of Javi Gracia's team is not even in the top ten, but he collected it in just one summer. And so the coach decided not to wait for the next crash test and accepted "an offer that cannot be refused."
Reason for optimism
Will work in the RFPL become more extreme crash test? Well, firstly, we already know that Javi Gracia has quite a diverse coaching experience, and at Malaga he showed a quality that could be useful to him in Kazan - the ability to give an acceptable result in the conditions of staff turnover, an ever-changing budget and tense relationship between club owner and supporters.
But in order for the Spaniard to be able to show these qualities, one more condition is required - a large number of young players. Yes, veterans played in Malaga Roque Santa Cruz, Carlos Kameni and Charles- By the way, exemplary professional football players who serve as an example for young people. But it was by working with young unknowns and even non-supertalented guys that Gracia made a name for himself at Malaga. Fans of Rubin, perhaps, it makes sense to expect the same.
Gracia has signed a four-year contract with Rubin Kazan.
(Kazan, May 27, Tatar-inform, Ildar Raimanov). Kazan "Rubin" officially presented the newly minted head coach Javier Gracia. The Spanish specialist became the first foreign head coach in the history of the club from the capital of Tatarstan.
Javier Gracia arrived in Kazan this morning, managed to visit the club base in Sotsgorod and was introduced at a special press conference at the Kazan-Arena stadium, where he was able to answer the first questions of journalists in Kazan.
In particular, Gracia stressed that he would not like to be compared with any of the previous Rubin coaches, but to evaluate him precisely by his own results achieved with the Kazan club.
“We are already looking forward to the great work that we will soon have to start with the team. I would like to see my team's football in an attacking style, but, of course, Rubin's game must be balanced in all lines.
I plan to learn Russian, I hope I will be able to learn it soon. I appreciate that I ended up in Rubin, I remember this club very well from bright performances in European competitions - these were glorious stages for the Kazan team, and we are faced with the task of returning Rubin to the highest places.
As for the composition of the team, then, of course, first you need to rely on those players that are in Kazan and put a team game with them, and only then make joint decisions with the club's management about those positions that need to be strengthened. Today I already know all the Rubin players, though not personally yet.
Of course, I spoke with Unai Emery, who led Spartak a few years ago. He shared with me his experience of being in Russia. In general, my family will come to Russia with me, who are also looking forward to seeing Kazan. I am married and have three small children.
I want to note that in Spain I had a valid contract with Malaga, and I came to Kazan not only because here I was offered a long-term contract on good terms, but first of all, because this is a serious challenge for me, a new step in my professional career.
Am I afraid of Russian frosts? I was born in the north of Spain, where we “run ahead of the bulls,” said the new head coach Kazan Rubin.
General Director of "Rubin" Ilgiz Fakhriev stressed, in turn, that today is a significant day in the history of the Kazan club.
“We invited one of the leading coaches of the Spanish football championship. The contract was signed for a long-term period. If we talk about the financial side, then all the bonuses are aimed primarily at the result, ”said the General Director of Rubin.
Javier Gracia Carlos was born on May 1, 1970 in Pamplona, Spain. Former Spanish football player, midfielder, known for playing for Real Sociedad and Villarreal. Gracia also played several matches for the Spanish youth team.
In 2004, Gracia began his coaching career with Villarreal's youth team. Until 2011, he coached mainly clubs in the lower Spanish divisions. After that, Javier accepted the invitation of the Greek Olympiacos from the city of Volos. In Greece, he also coached Corfu, and then returned to his homeland, where he worked quite successfully in Almeria and Osasuna. In 2014, Gracia replaced Bernd Schuster as Málaga's head coach.
Javier Gracia has signed a four-year deal with Rubin Kazan, which will reportedly earn €4m a year. Kazan also paid Malaga a penalty of 1 million euros. Gracia plans to move to the camp of Kazan together with his coaching staff.
