Leeds United friction emerges, Victor Orta wanted Andrea Radrizzani gone before he left
Outgoing Victor Orta wanted majority Leeds United owner Andrea Radrizzani gone before he left Elland Road, according to Phil Hay.
The Whites confirmed Orta’s departure on Tuesday 2 May, with manager Javi Gracia following the sporting director out of West Yorkshire after a dreadful run of results in the Premier League.
Leeds United are set to appoint Sam Allardyce as Gracia’s successor after advanced talks, but Hay writing for The Athletic on Tuesday afternoon [2 May] reveals there was some behind-the-scenes tension at Elland Road which ultimately led to Orta’s departure.
“[Javi] Gracia has been recommended by Orta, the solution to a fairly shambolic attempt to replace Marsch competently, and he still believed that enough points could be found under him in the four games Leeds have left.
“By Monday evening, he and the club’s ownership were on completely different pages. The board had resolved to dismiss Gracia. They were reaching out to Sam Allardyce, perhaps the last manager Orta would ever go for. And so, on Tuesday morning, Leeds’ director of football exited the building, the book closing on his story at Leeds.”
Hay also intriguing revealed that Orta was known to be “frustrated by the complications” behind-the-scenes at Elland Road “and increasingly convinced of the need for a US buy-out which removed any share of authority.”
Never dull
There really is never a dull moment when it comes to the Leeds United board, which could certainly lead to many fans believing the reason for the club’s mess derives from the ongoing friction among the club board which Hay accurately points out in his article.
Certainly, the Whites have lost a very talented and resourceful persona in Orta but his continual controversies coupled with the friction with Radrizzani simply has not helped matters.
How could they run a successful business model and club if they couldn’t sort out themselves?
Whether it was right for the Italian businessman to sever ties so soon before the season draws to a close remains to be seen, but Leeds United is in dire need of real change right now, both on and off the football pitch. And given Orta’s hugely pivotal position at Elland Road, of course, he would have to be on the end of the firing line.
Yet another managerial change is upon Leeds United, but fans could be forgiven for being desperate to see the back of Orta and Radrizzani with an exciting 49ers Enterprises takeover in the offing. The whole club desperately needs a refresh from top to bottom. Let’s hope that transformation arrives while the club is a Premier League outfit.
In other Leeds United news, other senior figures are now in line to be fired along with the manager after “emergency” talks.