Victor Orta hailed as 'architect' of Leeds promotion in email from CEO

Leeds CEO Angus Kinnear’s email announcing Victor Orta’s sacking is LEAKED, with sporting director hailed as ‘the architect of promotion’ despite fans’ anger at his role in their free-fall

  • Orta was dismissed by Leeds as part of a brutal cull at Elland Road on Tuesday
  • Javi Gracia has also been sacked as manager after less than three months
  • Leeds CEO Kinnear heaped praise on Orta in an email announcing his departure 

Axed Leeds sporting director Victor Orta has been hailed as the ‘architect’ of their promotion to the Premier League in a leaked email from CEO Angus Kinnear – much to the frustration of the club’s supporters.

As part of a brutal cull which also includes manager Javi Gracia making way after less than three months in charge, Leeds announced they have parted company with Orta amid a dismal run of four defeats and 18 goals conceded in five matches.

That disastrous spell has cast serious doubt over their chances of remaining in the Premier League, with the Whites now only above the relegation zone on goal difference in 17th place.

As a result both Gracia and Orta, who had drawn heavy criticism from supporters in recent weeks, have been dismissed in a desperate bid to salvage Leeds’ top-flight status, which also sees Sam Allardyce make a shock return to management at Elland Road.

Orta was hired by owner Andrea Radrizzani in the summer of 2017 after the latter took over from the controversial Massimo Cellino.

Leeds CEO Angus Kinnear (left) hailed departing sporting director Victor Orta (right) as the ‘architect’ of the club’s promotion in an email announcing his exit

Orta was dismissed as part of a brutal cull at Elland Road amid their run of four defeats in five

Javi Gracia (pictured) also said his goodbyes to Leeds staff on Tuesday with the Spaniard leaving after two months

Kinnear’s email informing Leeds staff of his departure has been leaked on social media

Despite helping secure their return to the Premier League in 2020, the Spaniard came under fire for a series of controversial decisions, including the unsuccessful appointments of Gracia and predecessor Jesse Marsch.

A number of big-money signings, such as £22million Brendan Aaronson and club-record £35.5million addition Georginio Rutter, have failed to make an impact – with striker Rutter yet to score a goal. 

Orta’s position as sporting director had therefore been under threat for several months, before his departure was finally announced on Tuesday.

Though despite his unpopularity with Leeds fans, Orta was showered with praise by CEO Kinnear in an email announcing his exit to club staff this week, which has been leaked on social media.

The email reads: ‘Team, I am very sorry to have to tell you that Victor has agreed with Andrea to leave the club.

‘As you all know, not only has Victor been the architect of our promotion but he has also been unofficially responsible for [the] vital job of managing morale within the Club! From a personal perspective he has been a great friend as we have travelled the length and breadth of the country from defeat in Newport to victory at Anfield and the Etihad.

‘His passion and energy to “make Leeds great again” has been unmatched and we owe him a lot. Despite our [current] challenges he leaves a legacy in a revolutionised football operation and a pipeline of young talent that will perform for Leeds for many years to come.

‘We will be arranging a formal farewell in the near future.’ 

Leeds fans were quick to express their bemusement with Kinnear’s email, instead pointing to former manager Marcelo Bielsa as the true inspiration behind their Premier League return.

One wrote: ‘”Architect of our promotion??!!” Think that was Bielsa!’

Another put: ‘He’s taking the p*ss isn’t he’. 

A third wrote: ‘This is incredible. How does the club fire someone who only “has done everything right”?’

A fourth commented: ‘If he was responsible for morale then that is another stick to beat him with more than anything.’

One couldn’t contain their amusement at Kinnear’s claim and put: ‘PAHAHAHAHAHAHA “The architect of our promotion” Taking the p*ss’.

Sam Allardyce will take charge of Leeds on Wednesday after replacing Gracia at the helm

While one asked Leeds’ owner: Fans invited to the party @andrearadri? We’ve a few things we’d like to say…’

A response to Kinnear’s email from Leeds’ head of media and communications James Mooney also read: ‘Thank you for some of the best days of my life, Victor.’

Another fan concluded: ‘This is why everyone needs to go, they don’t believe this has been nothing but a massive f**k up’.

Source: Read Full Article