Leeds United linked to Whites-fan Norwich chief Stuart Webber to replace Victor Orta, he reacts to phone call question
Norwich City director of football Stuart Webber has refused to be drawn on links between him and the vacant Leeds United role after Victor Orta’s departure.
The 39-year-old was asked about speculation that he could move to Elland Road in order to work for the club he supports, following the exit of Spaniard Orta after almost six years over the sacking of Javi Gracia on 2 May.
But amid tensions between Webber and the Canaries supporters after a difficult season that saw them finish 13th in the Championship he has denied that there has yet been any approach from the Whites.
Asked by The Athletic as a Whites fan if he could turn down the club amid links to Orta’s old job he refused to be drawn, saying: “I don’t know. It’s hypothetical. They haven’t rung, so let’s see if they ring.”
New look
The future at Elland Road is virtually suspended in time for the final few days of the season as Sam Allardyce looks to rescue matters with just two games left.
He has got through the worst of the storm with the Manchester City and Newcastle fixtures, and now has to record vital points against West Ham and Tottenham – who lost again to Brentford on Saturday (20 May) – for survival.
Orta’s exit felt like it was on the cards as soon as Jesse Marsch was fired despite his vociferous backing, especially as he had become a target for fan fury over the general failings on the pitch over the course of the past two seasons.
In that light it might not fill the fanbase with glee to have another man whose own support have been less than impressed this year linked to succeeding him, whether he’s a fan himself or not.
He denied talks with Chelsea in the same Athletic interview, although the jury is still out on the judgement of the new regime at Stamford Bridge so that perhaps isn’t the indictor of stature it once was.
Being a fan of the Whites may help initially bridge a gap with a potentially sceptical support who have seen much of what they came to have such an affinity for fall away since the sacking of Marcelo Bielsa, but wouldn’t give Webber much leeway if fortunes didn’t improve on the current ones.
So if that call does come it would require a definite improvement in managerial appointing above all to make it successful.
In other Leeds United news, the club is furious as the prospect of a hugely expensive legal dispute arises.