Leeds sack director of football amid Allardyce report football news
Leeds announced the departure of director of football Victor Orta on Tuesday, amid reports of an imminent managerial change that could see Sam Allardyce take over at the relegation-threatened Premier League club.
Orta is fourth-to-last in the league with Leeds just outside the relegation zone on goal difference with four games remaining. The team has lost five of its last seven games – most recently 4-1 at Bournemouth on Sunday – and conceded 23 goals in that period.
Fans are calling for the ouster of Orta, who joined the club in 2017 and helped oversee the changes that saw Leeds promoted to the top division under Marcelo Bielsa in 2020 after a 16-year absence.
Leeds boss Andrea Radrizani said, “It is clear that it is time to change direction and that is why we have agreed that Victor will leave the club.” “I understand supporters are hurt and upset, but now is the time for unity. We have four cup finals left in this season and working together, I believe we can survive.
Leeds manager Javi Gracia has only been in the role for two months but could also lose his job.
Former England coach Allardyce, 68, has been heavily linked to replace Gracia in the second half of the 2020-21 season since his time at West Bromwich Albion. On that occasion, he failed in his short-term mission to keep the team in the Premier League.
Prior to this, he was regarded as a survival specialist as he had never been relegated from the Premier League in more than 20 years while serving as manager in the division.
Leeds only managed to win their game in the final round the previous season when Jesse Marsh was manager. Marsh was fired in February.
