Victor Orta disagrees with Andrea Radrizzani, it cost him his job at Leeds United
Leeds United’s director of football, Victor Orta, has departed the club due to a disagreement over the outgoing head coach, Javi Gracia according to a Daily Mail report.
It has been claimed that Orta wanted to keep the Spanish coach in contrast to the wishes of chairman Andrea Radrizzani, resulting in the departure of both figures from the club.
In a last-gasp bid for Premier League survival, the Whites are set to bring in Sam Allardyce to oversee the final four games of the season.
It appears that push came to shove at this critical stage of the season, but the shake-up will have an impact on the new campaign at Elland Road.
“Leeds United have sacked director of football Victor Orta after their 4-1 defeat to Bournemouth on Sunday,” the report stated.
“Manager Javi Gracia has also followed in departing with Orta, with Sam Allardyce agreeing to make a shock return to management in a dramatic shake-up of the club’s football operations.
“Mail Sport also understands that Orta wanted to keep Gracia while Radriazinni didn’t – which resulted in both leaving the club following talks on Monday.”
Last roll of the dice
Allardyce previously carved out a reputation as a short-term specialist, a quick fix for clubs desperately seeking to avoid relegation from the Premier League but in his last role at West Brom, he was unable to prevent a return to the Championship for the Baggies.
That was the 68-year old’s last job in the game, which concluded almost two years ago so it is surprising to an extent that Radrizzani and Leeds feel he is the right man to turn to.
With just four games to go, the list of willing candidates would not have been an extensive one so ‘Big Sam’ returns for another shot at survival.
The departure of Orta also points to fractures behind the scenes at the club, especially with the prospective takeover by 48ers Enterprises in the background.
The lack of a joined-up approach at Elland Road, on and off the pitch is becoming increasingly evident.
In other Leeds news, Phil Hay reports that Andrea Radrizzani may now stay at the club to emulate Burnley and Sheffield Utd.