Leeds United

Leeds United

Championship

‘Saddened’ Radrizzani ousts Orta as Leeds Utd confirm exit; Gracia to follow as desperate Allardyce appointment nears

Victor Orta, Leeds United director of football

Leeds Utd have confirmed Victor Orta has been ousted from his position as Director of Football, while Javi Gracia looks set to follow with a Sam Allardyce appointment drawing near.

With the threat of relegation starting Leeds in the face, the Whites acted decisively on Tuesday morning.

A club statement confirmed director of football, Victor Orta, has left by “mutual consent”. Orta had been with Leeds Utd since the summer of 2017.

Owner Andrea Radrizzani said of the departure: “I am deeply saddened by the way that this chapter closes as Victor has been responsible for some of the best moments of my time as owner of Leeds United and I thank him and his people for all they have done in the past six years.

“However, it is clear that it is time to change direction and therefore we have agreed that Victor will leave the club.

“I understand supporters are hurt and upset, but now is a time for unity.

“We have four cup finals left to play this season and working together, I believe we can survive.”

Manager Javi Gracia is expected to follow Orta out of Elland Road at some stage today.

The mood in west Yorkshire has turned toxic, with Gracia unable to steer Leeds towards safety since succeeding Jesse Marsch in February.

The Athletic’s Phil Hay reported Leeds are “preparing to sack Gracia” at some stage Tuesday.

Per Hay, his replacement is likely to be Sam Allardyce who’ll come with a reputation of being more than capable of guiding stricken clubs to safety.

The finer details of an agreement with Allardyce are yet to be revealed. However, it’s understood his contract will run only until the end of the current campaign.