Leeds United sack director of football Victor Orta with Javi Gracia set to follow

Leeds United have sacked director of football Victor Orta after their 4-1 defeat to Bournemouth on Sunday.

Orta – who joined the club from Middlesbrough in 2017 – has received heavy criticism from supporters in recent weeks after their dire run of form under Javi Gracia.

Leeds have picked up just one point from their past five games, conceding 18 goals in the process as they have been plunged deep into relegation trouble, with the club only outside the relegation zone on goal difference.

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.

Orta was brought in by owner Andrea Radrizzani in the summer of 2017 after the Italian took over the club from the controversial Massimo Cellino.

Leeds have sacked director of football Victor Orta after their 4-1 defeat to Bournemouth

He was widely credited for his initial work that saw him appoint Marcelo Bielsa in 2018 as Leeds returned to the Premier League two years later after a 16-year absence. 

However, the decision to bring in Jesse Marsch as the Argentine’s replacement in February 2022 ultimately didn’t work out, while despite bringing in Gracia in February this year, Leeds look in significant danger of relegation.

Mail Sport understands the dressing room was lacking motivation under Gracia, which resulted in a dire performance at the Vitality Stadium against the Cherries after an initial positive start. 

Mail Sport also understands that Orta wanted to keep Gracia while Radriazinni didn’t – leading to both being in danger of leaving the club, before this was confirmed following talks on Monday.

Orta’s role has been under mounting scrutiny following the club’s slide down the Premier League table.

Mail Sport first revealed uncertainty over Orta’s position at Elland Road on February 10 following the club’s difficulties in replacing the sacked Marsch.

Orta tried to appoint Andoni Iraola from Rayo Vallecano and Arne Slot from Feyenoord, but failed to lure both.

Having been turned down by a number of managers, Orta eventually appointed Gracia – who is now on the verge of being dismissed after just two months in charge.

Gracia’s arrival has not prevented the club’s slide towards relegation danger, with the Spaniard confronted by irate fans during Sunday’s 4-1 loss at Bournemouth.

There has been disappointment behind the scenes at the Gracia’s appointment and Orta has faced difficult questions as a result.

The uncertainty over Orta’s future, however, has been an issue at Elland Road for a significant period of time.

Leeds’ squad are in at their Thorp Arch training ground on Tuesday for a recovery session before they return to action with a trip to Manchester City on Saturday, before they host high-flying Newcastle the following weekend.

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