Gracia not expecting Leicester overhaul for Rodgers’ first match
Watford manager Javi Gracia does not expect new Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers to change much in his first match in charge on Sunday.
The 46-year-old joined the Foxes on a three-and-a-half year deal on Tuesday after walking away from Scottish champions Celtic to replace Claude Puel at the King Power Stadium.
Rodgers, who also had a spell in charge of Watford at the start of his managerial career, came close to taking Liverpool to the Premier League title in 2013-14.
The Northern Irishman’s impact has already been welcomed by the Leicester squad to lift the mood at their Belvoir Drive training ground.
Gracia, however, believes there will not be sweeping changes to personnel and approach when Rodgers brings his new team to Vicarage Road this weekend.
“You never know what is going to happen. Sometimes some clubs change the manager, and nothing happens,” the Spaniard said.
“In this moment, it does not affect us, we are focused on our job and we will try to do our best.
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“It is true we do not know what they can do, because there is a new manager and maybe they chose other players or shape.
“But we know the players they have, I don’t think they will change a lot, the players or the way they are playing.”
Gracia believes the way Rodgers approaches the game is no secret.
“I know he has been at this club before a long time ago, and after all the titles he has with Celtic, what he did with Liverpool,” Gracia said at a press conference reported by the club.
“This season, I have seen Celtic many times and I know more or less the way they can play.”
Watford will be looking for a response after being thrashed 5-0 at Premier League leaders Liverpool in midweek.
“In all the games you learn things, but Liverpool played really well,” Gracia said.
“We will try to improve our level, not to concede the goals like we conceded in that game.
“We prefer to be positive and try to keep our level into the next game.”
Full-back Jose Holebas is available again following a two-match suspension, while defender Miguel Britos also returns having missed the trip to Anfield through illness.
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