Leeds CEO Angus Kinnear’s email announcing the resignation of Victor Orta has LAKED, with sporting director hailed as ‘the architect of promotion’ despite fans’ anger at his role in their freefall
- Orta was sacked by Leeds on Tuesday as part of a brutal cull at Elland Road
- Javi Gracia has also been sacked as manager after less than three months
- Leeds CEO Kinnear praised 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 that also saw manager Javi Gracia make way after less than three months in charge, Leeds announced they have parted ways with Orta amid a dismal run of four defeats and 18 goals conceded in five games.
That disastrous spell has cast serious doubt on their chances of staying in the Premier League, with the Whites now just above the relegation zone on goal difference in 17th.
As a result, both Gracia and Orta, who have been heavily criticized by supporters in recent weeks, have been sacked 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 outgoing sporting director Victor Orta (right) as the ‘architect’ of the club’s promotion in an email announcing his departure
Orta was sacked as part of a brutal culling at Elland Road amid their run of four defeats in five
Javi Gracia (pictured) also said goodbye to Leeds staff on Tuesday and the Spaniard left after two months
Kinnear’s email notifying Leeds staff of his departure has been leaked on social media
Despite securing their return to the Premier League in 2020, the Spaniard has come under fire for a series of controversial decisions, including the failed appointments of Gracia and predecessor Jesse Marsch.
A number of big signings, such as £22million Brendan Aaronson and club record £35.5million signing Georginio Rutter, have failed to impress – with striker Rutter yet to score a goal.
Orta’s position as sporting director had therefore been under pressure for several months before his departure was finally announced on Tuesday.
Despite his unpopularity with Leeds fans, Orta was showered with praise from CEO Kinnear in an email announcing his departure to club staff this week, which has been leaked on social media.
The email reads: ‘Team, I am very sorry to tell you that Victor has agreed with Andrea to leave the club.
“As you all know, Victor was not only the architect of our promotion, but he was also unofficially responsible for it [the] crucial task to manage morale within the club! From a personal perspective he has been a good friend as we have traveled all over the country from the defeat at Newport to the victory at Anfield and the Etihad.
‘His passion and energy to ‘make Leeds great again’ is second to none and we owe him a great deal. Despite our [current] challenges he leaves behind a legacy in a revolutionary football operation and a pipeline of young talent that will be performing for Leeds for many years to come.
“We’ll arrange a formal farewell soon.”
Leeds fans were quick to express their bewilderment at Kinnear’s email, instead pointing to former manager Marcelo Bielsa as the true inspiration behind their return to the Premier League.
One wrote: ‘”Architect of our promotion??!!” Think that was Bielsa!’
Another said, “He takes the p*ss, doesn’t he.”
A third wrote: ‘This is unbelievable. How does the club fire someone who just “did everything right”?’
A fourth commented, “If he was responsible for morale, that’s another stick to hit him with more than anything.”
One couldn’t contain their glee at Kinnear’s claim, saying “PAHAHAHAHAHAHA “The architect of our promotion” taking the p*ss’.
Sam Allardyce takes charge of Leeds on Wednesday after replacing Gracia at the helm
While someone asked the owner of Leeds: Fans invited to the party @andrearadri? We have a few things we want 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 has to go, they don’t believe this has been nothing but a huge f**k up.”