Leeds sporting director Victor Orta’s position is under scrutiny
- Victor Orta has been sporting director at Leeds since 2017
- His role will be under scrutiny while the club search for Jesse Marsch’s successor
- Leeds have already missed out on Carlos Corberan, Andoni Iraola and Arne Slot
Leeds sporting director Victor Orta’s position will come under scrutiny amid concerns over the club’s troubled search for a new manager and its impact on a proposed takeover.
Orta is leading the search for a new head coach following Monday’s sacking of Jesse Marsch – but her pursuit doesn’t go to plan.
The process of appointing a new boss comes amid a proposed full acquisition by 49ers Enterprises, which currently own 44 percent of Elland Road Club.
However, with the prospect of Leeds relegation, there are fears of what impact relegation to the Championship will have – despite the lucrative parachute payments – on plans for the buyout, increasing the pressure on Orta to ensure they make the right appointment .
So far, Orta has struggled to secure top Leeds goals; Their failure to lure Feyenoord coach Arne Slot is the latest in a string of disappointments.
West Brom boss Carlos Corberan, who has had significant backing from the club’s existing owners, signed a new contract with the Hawthorns on Tuesday.
A deal for Corberan is believed to have been relatively easy to achieve and would have been approved by current majority shareholder Andrea Radrizzani – but Orta wanted to explore alternative options before committing to the Spaniard.
It remains to be seen whether Leeds would consider a return to Corberan despite only being three days into a new contract.
Rayo Vallecano manager Andoni Iraola is among Orta’s preferred candidates but so far the Spanish club have refused to authorize his departure. There were suggestions on Friday that Leeds will try to rekindle their interest in Iraola after it was rejected by Slot.
As it stands, Leeds have failed to name their top three management candidates following the sacking of Marsch earlier this week.
Former Wolves and Tottenham boss Nuno Espirito Santo and River Plate manager Marcelo Gallardo are among the potential alternatives linked with the role.
Interestingly, the club’s challenging search for a new boss comes after conflicting opinions in the boardrooms over Marsch’s eventual sacking.
Sportsmail understand the current owners were prepared to sack the US coach significantly earlier due to the team’s poor form. However, Orta continued to campaign for his appointment despite the team’s poor form.
Similarly, there were behind-the-scenes tensions over the club’s activities in January – particularly record-breaking club signing Georginio Rutter, signed from Hoffenheim for £35.5m.
Orta pushed the Rutter deal but did not receive unanimous support.
And while Orta remains central to Leeds football operations, the unexpected obstacles the Spaniard has encountered have helped increase the pressure.