'Betrayed, deceived, cheated' - Ex-Leeds manager says he had to pay 'huge amounts' to former team as he opens up on horrific period at Valencia

In a recent interview with Radio Marca, former Leeds and Valencia manager Gracia recounted the difficult circumstances of his time at the Spanish club. Gracia, who managed Valencia for the 2020-21 season, stated that he felt "betrayed and deceived" by the club's hierarchy. He revealed that he was subjected to immense pressure and was "in a dead-end situation" after the club's then-president, Anil Murthy, allegedly went back on promises to strengthen the squad. Gracia further claimed that when he tried to resign, he was told he would have to pay a "huge amount" to get out of his contract.

The Spaniard's tenure at Valencia was defined by broken promises. When he accepted the job, he was assured by the board, led by owner Peter Lim and president Anil Murthy, that the squad would be reinforced. However, these promises were never kept. Instead, Valencia sold five key players - including Ferran Torres to Manchester City and Rodrigo Moreno to Leeds - for significant transfer fees, leaving Gracia with a drastically weakened squad.

This lack of investment was at the core of the conflict. When Gracia tried to resign just months into his contract, citing his frustration over the unfulfilled promises, the club refused to let him go unless he paid a €3 million buyout fee, which Gracia contends was more. His stint at Valencia was far from successful, with the club winning just 11 out of the 38 games before eventually being sacked just before the end of the season.

Talking about the beginning of his problems with the club, Gracia said: "It started with payment problems and many circumstances that made the season difficult for us. I felt betrayed and deceived. I wanted to coach Valencia , but on the other hand, I had to be responsible for my position and tell the person who had brought me there that they had deceived me. I put my position at the club's disposal because someone needed to come in who didn't feel the way I did."

Gracia further explained: "The club was putting enormous pressure on me. I had to pay a huge amount of money, three times my contract. I'd rather not talk about amounts; they were huge. What I can't get away with is being cheated, mortgaged. That's where the tense relationship with the president came from throughout the year, which led me to find out he was meeting with coaches to sign them, to making my life a bit difficult to see if I would leave. I was in a dead-end situation. I make a big distinction between those in charge at the time—the president, because I didn't know the owner—and the players, staff, and fans. That's something on a whole other level, as their history speaks for itself."

Gracia has been out of job since his brief stint at Leeds in 2023. His tenure at Valencia was a period of immense personal and professional struggle, and he is likely using this opportunity to clarify his position and set the record straight on the circumstances of his departure. While the experience was deeply negative, Gracia's candor shows he has moved on from the traumatic period. He remains a respected coach with experience in multiple top leagues, and it is likely only a matter of time before he is back in the dugout, seeking a new and more stable project.