Javier Gracia coach. Javier Gracia: “I think Rubin is getting better

With the Spanish head coach by mutual agreement of the parties.

Below is biographical information about the coach.

Spanish footballer and coach Javier "Javi" Gracia Carlos was born on May 1, 1970 in Pamplona, ​​Spain.

He began his football career in 1989 at the Athletic Bilbao club, of which he is a student. For three years he played in the second team, but was not involved in the main team. He acted as a midfielder.

In 1992 he moved to Lleida from Lleida, which reached the top division.

From 1995 to 1999 he played for Real Sociedad, where he scored 12 goals in 106 matches. In Javi Gracia's playing career, this was the longest stay with one 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 ended his football career.

Between 2004 and 2005, Javi Gracia worked as a coach in one of Villarreal's youth teams.

From 2006 to 2008, he coached the third-largest team football league Spain "Pontevedra", with which it consistently became first and second in the regular season, but both times failed to achieve promotion in the class following the playoffs.

From 2008 to 2010, Javi Gracia was the coach of another third division team, Cadiz. With her, in the first year of work, he achieved a promotion in 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, and in the 2012/13 season he coached Almeria.

"Rubin" chose the wrong coach who does not know Russian football - Karadeniz >>>

Also had experience coaching work in Greece - in the teams Olympiacos (Volos) and Kerkyra.

In September 2013, Gracia replaced Jose Luis Mendilibar on the coaching bridge of Osasuna from Pamplona, ​​leading the team of the top division of the Spanish Championship for the first time. However, he could not save it from relegation - Osasuna took 18th place at the end of the tournament, after which Gracia left the club.

Since May 2014, he has been the head coach of the Spanish 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, terminating the current agreement on his own initiative, and a few days later he signed a four-year contract with Rubin. The media reported that the Spanish specialist’s salary would 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 they lost to Ural Yekaterinburg.

“The decision to leave Malaga was given to me with great difficulty, but Rubin made an offer that was impossible to refuse,” Javi Gracia’s unexpected decision surprised not only the fans of the Andalusian club, who did not want to part with him, but... also many fans “ Rubina." And also caused. Not everyone knows the name of this Spanish specialist, not to mention his professional characteristics.

“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 he needs an introduction.

What happened before Malaga?

At the age of 19, Gracia began professional career: was on the roster of Athletic Bilbao. “He was listed” 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 individually best season The defensive midfielder spent time in the modest Lleida in the Segunda. There, Gracia was the team leader, scored 13 goals during the season, and his club became a champion and advanced to Primera.

The main achievement of Javi Gracia as a football player can be considered four seasons at Real Sociedad. There he played a little with Valery Karpin and took third place in the Spanish Championship in the 1997/98 season, ahead of Real Madrid. But he didn’t have a firm place in the squad and went back to the Segunda – just to Villarreal, which earned promotion the following season.

After finishing his playing career, Gracia worked for some time with Villarreal's 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 to work as Kerkyra from the Greek resort island of Corfu (stadium capacity - 2600 spectators). In September 2013, Gracia led the team from Examples - Osasuna. That team was remembered for the game of Oriol Riera (13 goals in the championship), as well as for the fact that they drew at home with Barcelona and Real Madrid. True, on the road Osasuna received 0:7 and 0:4, respectively, and at the end of the season they flew out of the elite. After this, 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 management of Malaga did not have much choice. It is worth recalling that Malaga is a failed nouveau riche club that was bought by Qatari businessman Sheikh Al-Thani. Then Manuel Pellegrini’s team was one step away from the semi-finals of the Champions League, had a completely combat-ready squad, with Isco, Toulalan 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. All players for whom it was possible to get at least some money were sold. Pellegrini left, followed by Bernd Schuster. The budget was radically reduced - in two years it decreased three (!) times.

And the club relied on youth, as well as on a coach who knows how to work with youth, the undemanding Javi Gracia. That summer, when Gracia became the coach of Malaga, 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 away in the process. Let us 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 Barça was practically crowned... One of the Spanish sports publications called that match a “tactical lesson” for Enrique from Javi Gracia : Malaga showed perfect compactness and played disciplined defense. Moreover, the teams made equally (!) shots on goal.

Gracia put together a strong team from young and unknown players, and a year later... it was sold out. Sergi Darder left for 12 million, Amrabat left, Juanmi left. Of the more than 40 million euros received for the players, the management invested in new acquisitions... about 5 million. But the coach, it seems, has established an uninterrupted conveyor belt for the appearance of quality football players out of nowhere.

Pupil Jose Recio, forward Duye Chop(transfer price – 700 thousand), Huangpi instead of Huangmi– and Malaga finished the current season even higher than a year ago, in eighth place. Snobs will note that the gap from sixth place in the European Cup was 12 points, but one can argue that the value of Javi Gracia's team is not even in the top ten, and 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 working in the Russian Premier League become a more extreme crash test? Well, firstly, we already know that Javi Gracia has quite a varied coaching experience, and in Malaga he showed a quality that could be useful to him in Kazan - the ability to give acceptable results in conditions of staff turnover, a constantly changing budget and tense relationship between the club owner and the fans.

But for the Spaniard to be able to demonstrate these qualities, another condition is required - a large number of young players. Yes, veterans played for him in Malaga Roque Santa Cruz, Carlos Kameni and Charles- by the way, they are exemplary professional football players who serve as an example for young people. But it was by working with young unknown guys who didn’t even have the status of super-talents that Gracia made a name for himself at Malaga. It probably makes sense for Rubin fans to expect the same.

The noticeably “Russified” Javier Gracia will lead Rubin Kazan onto the field today at the Makhachkala football field. And the other day, the Spanish specialist answered questions from the sports editors of Realnoe Vremya and Rubin fans from among the Rubin Goods subscribers (a community on VK). The head coach of the “Rubies” frankly answered pressing questions about Solomon Kverkvelia, Gekdeniz Karadeniz and others “ pain points» commands. Read about this, as well as about tiki-taka, Josep Guardiola and even the hockey team Ak Bars in an exclusive interview with Javier Gracia.

“I’m ready to do anything for Rubin, but let’s leave my hair alone”

- They say that no one has taken the task of getting the team into the Europa League. This is true?

I know that journalists like to talk about these tasks. Probably no one has heard me say that reaching Europe was one of the clear goals, either at the beginning of the season or now. I didn't say that and I don't intend to. I'm not saying that we are not capable of doing this. But it is true that at the time of signing my contract there was talk about a period of adaptation for many players, assistants 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 interesting questions from fans. Continuing the topic of tasks, a question from Pastor Zhora. “Javi, are you ready, if we reach the Eurocups, to shave your head bald and coach bald for the entire next season?”

- (Carefully touches a well-groomed hairstyle) I think that I am no longer at that age for such things. I’m ready to do a lot for the success of Rubin, almost anything, but let’s leave the hair alone ( laughs).

It seemed that during the training camp in the match with Spartak, Rubin reached the peak of its form, and then began to decline. Is there such a thing or is it just my imagination?

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. It was more difficult with the Norwegians, who were more closed. But I'm happy.

For most of the season, fans were angry that Karadeniz was not playing. Based on the training camp, it seemed that at 37 years old 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 and played in important matches. And the results weren't very good. Then he played less often, but this does not mean that I am dissatisfied with the player’s work. I think he's done an exceptional job this offseason. On this moment he is a player who offers us an alternative and other possibilities in our attack, as in the case of Zhonatas, Kanunnikov. At his age, Karadeniz should not be a player who has to bear the responsibility of all the games and minutes. This is how I see it. He has to bring something special and not play every game. I think that his participation should be different and important. He may get a lot of time, but not necessarily all the time and in all the important matches.

Probably no one has heard me say that reaching Europe was one of the clear goals, either at the beginning of the season or now. I didn't say that 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 playing. In those moments when we select other players, we think that they are in better shape. I think Lestienne can play in different positions. It is clear that he has the qualities of a striker and can play on either flank. He can be a striker. This is my vision. He 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. How 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, occupies the position of a foreign player. In terms of attack, Carlos and Sergio are probably superior. But I wouldn’t like to say who is better, because that would mean that the other is worse. And I don’t want to speak badly about Solomon. He is very good player. I don’t think that three foreign players 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. Obviously, the first one will increase in price, but the second one will not.

Don't know. We don't know what will happen to Solomon and Sergio's price. One of Sergio's advantages is that he can play as a full-back on the right flank, as he already played in this position at Rubin. This is one of the advantages of Sergio compared to Solomon. Everything else - details, conversations about who is better and worse - is what I don’t want to do. I value 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 training camp, what can you say, will he improve in the second part of the season?

I think he did Good work. He was unwell in the last phase of preparation due to a blow in a test match. However, of course I expect more from Alex. I think we all need to wait for better returns. In my opinion, he has not yet shown his level.

It seems that Nabiullin has become more reliable in defense. How do you assess his progress at 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 this is possible through work. First of all, he improved his defensive performance.

- Question from Marat Suleymanov. Is there any prospect of seeing Nabiullin on the left flank of midfield?

I don't think this is Nabi's position. But he can play there. Sometimes you also need to double the full-backs on the line 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 did for Rubin. I think 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 tell him that the next day he flew to Grozny?

And when did this happen?

- The video was leaked online from a training session at the training camp

- (Surprised) We filmed it, right? When I spoke to him, he explained his situation to me. He said he wanted more playing minutes. I was pleased with this football player. He seems to have had a good pre-season, playing above midfield at times. I thought he was a player who could give a lot to the team. 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 last matches. As I said before, this player has a future. Lately we have decided to position him above the midfield and in a support position 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 star of Russian football?

I believe in him. I really want him to improve. He studies, works hard, and has various technical strengths. 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 Devich, there was only one pure forward in the team - Zhonatas. 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 did for Rubin. I think 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 won’t be any problems with the fact that Jonatas is the only one left?

Devic could extend his contract for two or more years. But next year we would have to choose a younger striker. I'm not saying Marco isn't a guarantee. He is a goal guarantee. If he were with us, the team would be more balanced, with greater opportunities. But his contract situation played an important role.

- Rubin didn’t buy anyone through this window. It suits you? Are there any positions on the team that need strengthening?

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 sure they become the best. Now I need to work on my performance. 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 we need to try to make the team more precise, more competitive each time and with a desire for higher tasks.

“Arthur is a good translator, but he doesn’t want to become a coach”

- Question from Bulat Fakhrutdinov. Everyone was delighted with the video of your translator’s work. Is Arthur the future Mourinho?

Arthur is a very important person for me because he is sort of my voice. I think he does a very difficult and good job. The video, which was filmed in Spain, became news on all television programs in Spain. This is the job that a good translator does. I’m already joking, calling him not Arthur, but Arturinho.

There are players whom I know better, which is logical, I can provide guidance and talk about their work, about past stages with me. There are players known from monitoring clubs and previous stages. As a result, it is a collaborative process.

- So he has the makings of a coach?

Don't know. You need to ask him. But I think no, he doesn’t want to become a coach.

- You can put in a good word in the lower leagues of Spain about the young coach...

- (Laughs) I think that he feels good in his city, that he loves his city very much and is not ready to leave.

- Question from Almaz Nasybullin: Miranchuk - your idea or leadership?

Miranchuk is a young player from Russia with a bright future as he is already a main player in his team. There were many rumors about his arrival. As a result, he is not here. I don't think I should talk about other people's players.

In general, what is the extent 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 provide guidance and talk about their work, about past stages with me. There are players known from monitoring clubs and previous stages. As a result, it is a collaborative process.

Is it normal, in your opinion, that, having a stadium like Kazan Arena, Rubin is still sometimes forced to play at Central?

These are not decisions that depend on what I say. This is due to the climate, the upcoming Confederations Cup, and the 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 task is three points in the match with Anzhi.

- Which of Russian players“Rubina” surprised you in both good and bad ways?

The ability to surprise occurs when you don't expect anything and everything happens in spite of you. I always expected growth from my players, which is what is happening here. I was surprised by the consistency and desire to develop among the Russians at Rubin. But I wouldn't be able to personalize it to one or two players. They evolved along with the team. I mean the results, the game. Speaking of Nabiullina: Elmir’s progress is interconnected with the growth of Burlak and other players who play less, like Ustinov. I think we are all getting better. So does the coach.

The Europa League zone is only 5 points away. Describe the strengths weak sides Rubin's main competitors in the fight for 4th place in the standings?

I don't like talking about possible competitors. Our goal is 3 points in the match with Anzhi. I don't know how many points in the table we will need to be in the top four. But I am sure that we need 3 points in Makhachkala. This is our competitor. I won’t talk about Lokomotiv, Terek, or other teams that could become our competitors. We'll see. As for the cup, our next match with Ural is important, naturally.

I was surprised by the consistency and desire to develop among the Russians at Rubin. But I wouldn't be able to personalize it to one or two players. They evolved with the team

How can you explain the paradox of speeches? Russian clubs in European competitions? The “rich” (“Zenit” and CSKA) are failing, while the “poor” “Krasnodar” and “Rostov” are moving on.

I don't think they are poor.

- Regarding Zenit and CSKA?

And compared to us. As for Zenit, they lost in the last seconds and minutes. The club has also done a lot to continue its path. Krasnodar played well in two matches. They deserved this exit, just like Rostov. These are organized teams that are performing well and will definitely cause problems for Espanyol and Celta Vigo or Manchester United. This has already happened, because Rostov lost the match against Atlético Madrid in only one action. And he 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?

This is completely impossible.

So, the Spartak team, comparable in terms of titles in the domestic arena, proves that nothing is impossible. Will Spartak become champions after 13 years without any titles?

Did not know ( laughs). Spartak played very well in the first part of the season. Yes, they've done this many times in previous seasons. But in the second part they were unable to maintain their form. But I think that Spartak this season - strong candidate to champions.

- Question from Ruzal Abdullin. Which RFPL team's game do you like best?

I like Ruby. He is mine. I really value mine. I believe in our work, I believe that we will play better every time and get top scores. I really believe it. I don’t want to talk about other teams.

It was clear from the training camp that you are in good shape as a football player. If you were a player, which one would you play for? RFPL club and under whose leadership would you like to play?

I don’t want to underestimate any team or coach. I would probably go back to Spain. I think that a player and a coach should go where they want to see him. Few players and coaches have a choice. So 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.

Do fans never tire of joking that you deliberately held three training camps in Spain to extend your personal vacation?

Vacation? No ( laughs). When we had three days of rest, I flew to Kazan with part of the staff to see my family. My family is here. No vacation. Of course, I went to training camp with the team in Spain, there are good conditions there. It was comfortable for many reasons. But the most important thing is that the working conditions are good. And it doesn’t matter whether it’s Spain or another country.

- You have been in Kazan for quite some time. Did you manage to go to the hockey game?

- "AK Bars" ( three claps), "AK Bars" ( three claps). For a long time they were losing, and then they won the match. I was pleased because I went to the match and the team won. I think that one of the things that I should try while in Kazan: hiking hockey match with family is an experience that I have to enjoy with them. My children should enjoy the snow. In Spain they would enjoy other things, but here I have to try to get them to enjoy the local entertainment, of which there are many. You need to be positive.

I think one of the things I should try while in Kazan: going to a hockey match with my family is an experience I should enjoy with them

Guardiola cannot repeat Barça at Bayern or Mancity

Let's talk a little about Spanish football. Barcelona is not very good this season and could be eliminated from the Champions League at a record early time. What are the reasons?

- (With a stern frown, he shakes his head.). Hasn't taken off yet! I think that 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 important match against Atlético Madrid and managed to win 1:2. They are struggling in the league, they reached 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 current realities, it seems that it only worked in Barcelona named after Xavi and Iniesta, and not Pep. Your opinion?

This “tiki-taka” appeared in Spain from the game of 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 created a very balanced team. It is very difficult to make Barcelona play in the same manner over time because there is no Xavi, no Puyol. There are a lot of different players coming. The team will play differently. And coach Guardiola at Bayern and Mancity cannot repeat Barcelona. Even if we are talking about the same coach. He has to play something his new players can play and play against teams whose style of play is different 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, worry 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?

Don't know. I cannot venture 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 European top club level are good. All. Coaches are people, they make mistakes, they do some things well and some things poorly. But it is not only the coach who is responsible for the game or the result of the team. He takes responsibility because this is our job and it will be so. But everyone must be responsible.

"I'm not superstitious"

In conclusion, 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 what “beautiful” would be like.

- Mathur?

Exactly, matur! The other day I was in a Tatar restaurant and ate this ( thinks). Pochmak!

I think all coaches at the European top club level are good. All. Coaches are people, they make mistakes, they do some things well and some things poorly. But it’s not just the coach who is responsible for the game or the team’s results.

- Ksenia Pechenkina: is there any ritual for good luck before important matches?

I don't think the result of the match depends on this. You need to prepare well for the match and work hard. I'm not superstitious.

- Arthur Mokeev: when will Rubin become a champion?

Let's hope soon.

- A question from him: have you already realized that in Russia money decides everything?

I don't know if they solve everything. But I don't like it.

After the interview, Javier Gracia congratulated Realnoe Vremya sports editor Artur Khalilulov on his birthday

Arthur Khalilulov, translation by Aigul Ziyatdinova, photo by Oleg Tikhonov

Gracia signed a four-year contract with Rubin Kazan.

(Kazan, May 27, Tatar-inform, Ildar Raimanov). Kazan “Rubin” officially presented the team’s newly appointed 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 presented at a special press conference at the Kazan-Arena stadium, where he was able to answer the first questions from journalists on Kazan soil.

In particular, Gracia emphasized that he would not like to be compared with any of Rubin’s previous coaches, but rather be assessed based on his own results achieved with the Kazan club.

“We are already looking forward to the great work that we will soon begin 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 got to Rubin, I remember this club very well from its outstanding performances in European cups - 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, you first need to count on those players that are in Kazan and stage a team game with them, and only then make joint decisions with the club management about those positions that require strengthening. Today I already know all the Rubin players, although not personally yet.

Of course, I talked with Unai Emery, who managed Spartak several 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'm married and have three small children.

I would like 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 for good conditions, 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,” noted the new Main coach Kazan "Rubin".

General Director of Rubin Ilgiz Fakhriev emphasized, 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, all bonuses are aimed primarily at results,” said the general director of Rubin.

Javier Gracia Carlos was born on May 1, 1970 in Pamplona, ​​Spain. Former Spanish footballer, midfielder, known for his performances for Real Sociedad and Villarreal. Gracia also played several matches for the Spanish youth team.

In 2004, Gracia began his career as a coach in the youth team of the Villarreal club. Until 2011, he coached mainly clubs in the Spanish lower divisions. After this, Javier accepted the invitation of the Greek Olympiacos from the city of Volos. In Greece, he also coached Kerkyra, and then returned to his homeland, where he worked quite successfully at Almeria and Osasuna. In 2014, Gracia replaced Bernd Schuster as head coach of Malaga.

Javier Gracia has signed a four-year contract with Rubin Kazan for a reported €4 million per year. The Kazan team also paid Malaga a penalty of 1 million euros. Gracia plans to move to the Kazan camp along with her coaching staff.