George Overhill

Tue 18 July 2023 15:40, UK

Gretar Steinsson’s appointment as the new Leeds United Head of Technical and Recruitment has been completed, according to a report from the Training Ground Guru.

The former Bolton player has spent time in the Everton hierarchy and was at Tottenham last season, but has been added to the new-look set up at Elland Road a day after the 49ers takeover was completed.

The Icelander was introduced to staff at the stadium on Tuesday (18 July), while others were informed of the 41-year-old’s appointment by email.

According to Training Ground Guru Steinsson is expected to “effectively replace Victor Orta” – the Spaniard left ahead of Javi Gracia’s sacking on 2 May and is now at Sevilla in La Liga.

The Whites had also been in talks with Brentford’s Lee Dykes and ex-Spurs man Steve Hitchen, but Steinsson is the man who got the job.

Framework

At long last it looks like the key questions off the pitch now have their answers with the Andrea Radrizzani era officially over.

Paraag Marathe is in place as the new chairman, Orta is now replaced by Steinsson, and the revolving door of managers last term succeeded by Daniel Farke.

Full attention can now be directed towards the transfer market and preseason training as Leeds United look to cap the Championship stay at one season.

Dykes had looked like an attractive option to come in given the success at Brentford in his time with the West London side, while there had been strong links to Farke’s former Norwich colleague Stuart Webber.

But Steinsson is the 49ers’ choice while Nick Hammond is also at Elland Road for the short term as the Whites look to make up for lost time during the transfer window.

And incoming activity is now picking up to match the outgoing moves, with Ethan Ampadu due to arrive as the first signing of the Farke era.

In other Leeds United news, the club is firmly in the race for a “20 goal a season man” as a transfer rival have had their bid rejected.