After the contentious Spaniard’s resignation earlier this month, Leeds United are apparently working on a two-man shortlist to follow Victor Orta as director of football.
Orta fell on his sword at Elland Road, paying the price for a number of transfer blunders, probably best exemplified by the disastrous Jean-Kevin Augustin deal, which ultimately cost the club £24.5 million in salary and an additional £18 million in transfer charges, despite the club abandoning their desire to sign him.
Augustin was not the only failed move, as the Spaniard was also responsible for a string of failed managerial hires.
After clashing with chairman Andrea Radrizzani over the dismissal of Jesse Marsch and Javi Gracia, both of whom Orta supported, he was fired by the club on May 2.
Indeed, during his stint as manager, Leeds’ Premier League status has been dangling by the barest of threads. Unless Leeds defeat Tottenham on Sunday and two other results go their way, they will be back in the Championship next season.
As a result, Leeds is having the most turbulent summer in many years. The first issue they must overcome in order to achieve this goal is ownership, as the team is slated to be bought over by 49ers Enterprises this summer.
They will also need to make a decision on their next manager. Sam Allardyce was brought in on a four-game contract in an effort to save Leeds from the drop.
But it seems his stay in West Yorkshire will be brief amid claims they are chasing a high-profile alternative.
As well as a new manager, Leeds will also press on with the recruitment of a new director of football.
And according to Phil Hay, writing in The Athletic, they have two potential targets in mind.
First up, Leeds are looking at Norwich’s well-respected sporting director Stuart Webber.
The 39-year-old has extensive experience. He has previously worked in recruitment and scouting for Liverpool, Wolves, and QPR.
His major break came when he was hired as Huddersfield’s head of football operations. Webber oversaw the Terriers’ 2015 promotion to the Premier League while at the club.
Webber, a Leeds fan, has been with Norwich since 2017 and has supervised two promotions and two relegations. Webber has also been associated with the position of Chelsea’s sporting director. Surprisingly, co-owner Todd Boehly is still filling that position on an interim basis.
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