Leeds United’s former director of football, Victor Orta, left the club over a year ago, just before their relegation. Fans were pleased to see a new recruitment structure in place after his departure.
The team’s relegation was a tough time for everyone involved, but the takeover by the 49ers allowed for a complete overhaul of the club’s operations, especially in the area of transfers. Many believe that poor recruitment played a significant role in Leeds’ relegation, as seen in the disastrous events of the summer of 2023.
Now, Victor Orta has revealed details of a transfer agreement between Leeds United and Sevilla, where he currently serves as the sporting director. Despite his new role, similar issues with managerial appointments and signings have emerged at the La Liga club, failing to meet expectations.
Orta recently secured the signing of midfielder Saul Niguez from Atletico Madrid on loan for the upcoming season. During Saul’s presentation, Orta defended his recruitment strategy, stating that convincing players to join Leeds was challenging, especially due to the location in West Yorkshire. He seemed to suggest that the weather played a role in players’ decisions, highlighting the appeal of sunny Sevilla over rainy Leeds.
It’s not surprising that Orta is quick to shift blame away from himself for the failures at Leeds. Despite his efforts to strengthen the squad with high-priced signings, other clubs managed to navigate the relegation battle with more successful recruitment strategies. The idea that Leeds is not an attractive destination for players contradicts the common belief that the club has a unique appeal that is hard to resist.
In the end, perhaps Orta should have focused on creating a more compelling project at Leeds, rather than using the weather as an excuse for recruitment struggles. The true test lies in the ability to build a strong team and attract top talent, regardless of external factors. Only time will tell if Orta’s approach at Sevilla will yield better results than his time at Leeds.