News: First team

Málaga Club de Fútbol has reached an agreement with Javier Gracia Carlos (Pamplona, 01/05/1970) for him to be the Blue and Whites’ coach for the next two seasons. Javier Gracia was a player in the First Division with Real Valladolid, Real Sociedad and Villarreal CF, and as coach he saw Cádiz CF promoted to the First Division in 2008/09 along with UD Almería in 2012/13. Gracia has taken part in European competition as manager of Greek side, Olympiakos Volou in 2011. The new Blue and Whites’ coach will be presented on Tuesday 3rd June at 12:30 p.m. at La Rosaleda stadium’s press room.

CAREER

As a player:

Javier Gracia kicked off his footballing career in the lower ranks of Athletic Club de Bilbao, and at 22 years of age he went on to play 38 matches with UE Lleida, who were promoted to the First Division in 1992/93.



Gracia then moved to First Division side, Valladolid in 1993/94 and 1994/95, before heading to Real Sociedad where he remained for four seasons, with the midfielder scoring 12 goals and the team finishing the 1997/98 season in third place.



Javier Gracia played a big part in Villarreal CF’s foundation for four seasons (1999-2002), seeing them promoted to the First Division, and finally he ended his player career with Córdoba CF in the Second Division.





As coach:

Javier Gracia’s managerial career started in 2006/07 with Pontevedra CF, taking part in two Second Division promotion play-offs. He later saw Cádiz CF win the Second Division B championship and gain promotion to the Second Division (2008/09), the same division in which he headed up Villarreal CF’s reserve team (2010/11).



Javier Gracia went on to join the Greek League as he became the Olympiakos Volou and Kerkyra FC coach. He reached the preliminary rounds of the Europa League with Olympiakos Volou in 2011/12, and after eliminating Luxembourg’s Differdange and Serbian side, FK Rad, the Greek team was disqualified from the competition by UEFA, before they were due to face Paris Saint Germain in the final round.



On his return to Spain, Javier Gracia saw UD Almería promoted to the First Division in 2012/13 following victory in the promotion play-offs. Lastly, Javier Gracia took charge of CA Osasuna last year after the season had already started.

