Leeds United set to part ways with Victor Orta

Leeds United are set to relieve director of football Victor Orta of his duties, reports The Athletic.

The Spaniard joined the club in 2017 after Andrea Radrizzani took over from Massimo Cellino.

He oversaw the appointment of Marcelo Bielsa, who guided the Whites to the Premier League in his second season.

Leeds finished ninth in their first season back in the English top-flight after 16 years, two points behind current challengers Arsenal.

However, they escaped relegation on the last day of last season and are currently 17th after 34 games.

Leeds are already considering appointing their third manager of the season.

The Elland Road club are looking to bring in Sam Allardyce as Javi Gracia’s replacement.

The Spaniard replaced Jesse Marsch in February, and Orta is set to pay for those underwhelming appointments.

Talks were held on Monday over the futures of Orta and Gracia, and a conclusion has been made on the former.

The former Middlesbrough director of football has overseen the spending of around £350 million on transfers at Leeds.

However, only a couple of them proved to be vital additions to the squad.

The likes of Brendan Aaronson and club-record signing Georginio Rutter, who cost a combined £58m, have failed to make an impact, with striker Rutter yet to score.

Signing Diego Llorente, Jean-Kevin Augustin and Dan James also did not work out well, and Orta has signed more flops than stars for Leeds.

The Whites will be hoping to stay up so as not to suffer the huge financial setback which accompanies relegation.

They will lose most of their key players if they fail to escape the drop, which could make instant promotion tricky.