Victor Orta accepts Leeds United transfer following Sevilla deal

VaselineJuly 18, 2024

0 2 minutes read

Victor Orta accepts Leeds United transfer following Sevilla deal

LEEDS, ENGLAND – MAY 15: Leeds United executive vice-chairman (from left) Paraag Marathe, director of football Victor Orta, CEO Angus Kinnear and chief executive Paul Bell watch the Premier League match between Leeds United and Brighton & Hove Albion at Elland Done on May 15, 2022 in Leeds, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Dodd – CameraSport via Getty Images)

Leeds United parted ways with Victor Orta over a year ago, just before relegation, and fans were relieved to see a modernized recruitment structure in place.

Leeds’ relegation from the Premier League was a bitter pill to swallow, but the subsequent takeover by the 49ers allowed them to reshape the club’s infrastructure from top to bottom, including the way they handled transfers.

The general consensus is that recruitment was a massive contributor to why Leeds found themselves back in the second tier, and this was proven by the nightmare that was the summer of 2023.

Victor Orta shares admission from Leeds United as he conducts business with Sevilla

After leaving Leeds with his reputation at Elland Road gutted, Orta landed an ideal role as sporting director at Sevilla, a club he holds dear.

However, the same problems occur at the La Liga club, with managerial appointments and signings disappointing and rarely hitting the high marks.

Are you happy that Red Bull have invested in Leeds?

His newest signing is 29-year-old midfielder Saul Niguez, who joins on loan from Atletico Madrid for the 24/25 season.

In Saul’s introduction to the club, Orta was keen to defend himself and his recruitment strategy, sharing that convincing players to join his club is something that is flawed, particularly in West Yorkshire.

As quoted by Diario de Sevilla, he said:

“The south helps too. At Leeds United we had more problems convincing the players.”

Orta apparently blames the weather as the reason why players aren’t being sold at Leeds in North Yorkshire as opposed to sunny Seville, finishing thus:

“I only think about Sevilla, my image is of tiny importance, what is interesting is the badge. I worry very little about myself and a lot about Sevilla.”

Orta blaming the venue for Leeds’ poor showing is hardly a shock

If there’s one thing we learned about Orta, it’s that he was very keen to absolve himself of any blame for how badly things went at Leeds.

This is despite the fact that he has been the one to pick dodgy signings and take big-fee risks to improve the squad, while those around us have worked through the relegation battle with reliable recruits.

The concept of Leeds not being a desirable location doesn’t really add up either when you consider every signing we make, the cliché is thrown out that “once Leeds come calling, you can’t say no”.

Perhaps the project should have been more convincing to overcome the rain story where West Yorkshire was a bit rainy.

VaselineJuly 18, 2024

0 2 minutes read