Victor Orta spotted in talks with Angus Kinnear as Javi Gracia makes Leeds United sack admission
Victor Orta and Angus Kinnear have been spotted in conversation on the touch line at Bournemouth minutes after Leeds United boss Javi Gracia suggested he could be sacked.
The Whites fell to yet another dismal defeat against the Cherries, with all the familiar failings joining forces to leave the club in huge danger of relegation.
Gary O’Neil’s side eased to a 4-1 win, with Willy Gnonto’s return the only bright element to a hugely damaging defeat ahead of meetings with both Manchester City and Newcastle, and there is plenty to think about for the board.
BBC reporter Adam Pope shared on Twitter after the game Gracia’s admission that he might not be entrusted with the final weeks of the season after another loss, saying: “A sad shrug and “If I’m here” from Gracia when asked if he feels he has the trust of the management to turn this around.”
Minutes later Pope’s BBC colleague Jonny Buchan shared a photo on his own Twitter of Orta and Kinnear in discussion next to the dug out at the Vitality Stadium.
Sinking ship
There was so little fight in the latest defeat that it feels like the battle might already be lost, as Illan Meslier errors, coupled with a porous defence that had next to no protection from central midfield, cost Leeds United again.
The Whites have now been thrashed by Crystal Palace, Liverpool and Bournemouth in the past five games, with just a point taken against Leicester which really had to be a win itself.
In that context it would be a major surprise if they suddenly produce a performance that troubles either Pep Guardiola or Eddie Howe.
The wheels have come off in spectacular fashion, going from a morale-boosting comeback win over Nottingham Forest on 4 April to looking down and out in less than a month.
Either Everton or Leicester will go above them when the pair of relegation rivals face each other on Monday night, and yet still Leeds United will have it in their own hands.
How long that lasts given the form and the upcoming fixtures will be crucial, since after the Cherries defeat it would be a boost to even still be in with a shout when the final two games against West Ham and Tottenham come around.
If Orta, Kinnear and Andrea Radrizzani actually have plans to change the manager again before then it is impossible to know what will happen next, since the process that ultimately appointed the Spaniard was such a mess in itself.
But what is clear is that this is anything but a happy time for Whites fans.
In other Leeds United news, one Elland Road star had been branded “awful” for what he did on Sunday.