Middlesbrough chief Kieran Scott touted to join Leeds United as Victor Orta replacement – Phil Hay
Leeds United are looking into the possibility of hiring Middlesbrough’s Kieran Scott as a replacement for former director of football Victor Orta, according to Phil Hay.
Hay wrote in the Athletic that Scott, who works as head of football at the Riverside Stadium, is on Leeds’ radar alongside Stuart Webber of Norwich City.
Orta left his role at the beginning of May after his relationship with the club’s fanbase soured during a season in which the club have battled against relegation and made expensive mistakes in the transfer market.
Leeds sacked boss Jesse Marsch in February and his replacement Javi Gracia departed on 3 May, with Sam Allardyce employed to try and secure Premier League safety.
However, Leeds have taken just one point from three matches under Allardyce and must beat Tottenham in their season finale on Sunday (28 May) and hope they can better the results of Everton and Leicester City to retain their top-flight status.
Getting Orta replacement right crucial for Leeds
It has been a season of turmoil for Leeds on and off the pitch and it looks increasingly likely their three-year stay in the Premier League is about to come to an end.
Orta undoubtedly must take a huge share of the blame for a recruitment process that has been expensive and ineffective.
Georginio Rutter’s January arrival from Hoffenheim has undoubtedly been the biggest disappointment, but the likes of Brenden Aaronson, Luis Sinisterra and Weston McKennie have all struggled too.
Regardless of what division Leeds find themselves in next season, getting the right people in place to improve recruitment next term is absolutely vital.
The new person in charge must work with the manager, whether that be Allardyce or a long-term replacement, to find a style and calibre of player to get Leeds trending in the right direction once more.
If they do not get this appointment right, then Leeds could find themselves scrapping in the second tier for years to come.
In other Leeds United news, Willy Gnonto could depart Elland Road after just one season in charge and join Sassuolo.