Gracia handed Málaga reins
Friday, May 30, 2014
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Javi Gracia has become the Spanish top flight's latest coaching change after accepting a two-year contract to take over from Bernd Schuster in the Málaga CF dugout.
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Following Bernd Schuster's midweek departure as coach of Málaga CF, the Spanish Liga club have installed Javi Gracia in the managerial hot seat.
The 44-year-old Gracia arrives at La Rosaleda on a two-year contract having left CA Osasuna after the Pamplona-based team's relegation to the second division at the end of the season.
A former Athletic Club youth-teamer, Gracia was a midfielder with Real Valladolid CF, Real Sociedad de Fútbol and Villarreal CF, among others. He has since had a varied coaching career, gaining promotions with Cádiz CF and UD Almería either side of a stint in Greece with Olympiacos Volou FC and Kerkyra FC. UEFA Champions League quarter-finalists in 2013, Málaga finished 11th this term.