Patrick Bamford makes surprise revelation on Javi Gracia despite brief Leeds United stint — Leeds Live 19/11/23

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Patrick Bamford was asked about his relationship with previous managers and the striker named former Leeds United boss Javi Gracia as someone he continues to talk to

Patrick Bamford admits he had a 'really good' relationship with former Leeds United head coach Javi Gracia and the pair remain in contact. Gracia was dismissed in May after just 10 weeks and 12 matches in charge, with interim boss Sam Allardyce failing to secure a win as the Whites slipped to Premier League relegation.

Bamford is in the midst of his sixth season at Elland Road, and enjoyed his best return in the 2020/2021 season as he netted 17 times in Leeds' first season back in the Premier League. However, the number nine is yet to make a start this term under Daniel Farke, due to an injury suffered in pre-season and the form of both Georginio Rutter and summer signing Joel Piroe.

Bamford was asked whether he had ever become friends with any of his managers by comedian Joe Wilkinson on the first episode of the My Mate's a Footballer podcast. The striker namechecked Gracia along with former Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka as two he has remained in touch with.

Bamford said: "There's been quite a few managers who I've had really good relationships with. The ones who came in last year, Javi Gracia, even now I still speak to him and his staff, they were lovely.

"One of the other guys I had when I was at Middlesbrough called Aitor [Karanka], even now since I've left because I was only on loan when he was there, I've always been close to him. We speak every so often, it's one of them where the managers you're closest with, you tend to still have a relationship even when you're not playing under them or they've left."

Bamford later added: "You always have that fondness towards them when you've had good period under them, or even if you've not necessarily played under them, if they've treated you right and been honest. There's always that kind of mutual respect which stays and you end up forming a friendship from it."

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