May 02, (THEWILL) – Leeds United have announced that Director of Football, Victor Orta, has left the club by mutual consent, marking the start of what is expected to be a dramatic day in West Yorkshire.
This comes amid a poor season for the club, currently 17th in the English Premier League with a winless run of five matches. Manager Javi Gracia is also reportedly set to be replaced, with former West Brom coach, Sam Allardyce, tipped to replace him for the remaining matches of the season.
Leeds owner, Andrea Radrizzani, expressed his sadness over Orta’s departure, saying: “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.”
Meanwhile, Allardyce would take charge of the team after suffering his first Premier League relegation with West Brom in 2021. Gracia, who was given a deal until the end of the season in February, had led Leeds from the bottom three to 13th by winning three of his first six games in charge.
Leeds supporters are understandably upset by the developments, but Radrizzani is calling for unity ahead of the remaining four matches of the season. “We have four cup finals left to play this season and, working together, I believe we can survive,” he said.
Leeds will face tough matches against Manchester City, Newcastle, West Ham, and Tottenham, and Allardyce will have his work cut out for him as he takes on the role of the club’s third permanent manager of the season.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
