Victor Orta will ‘not be short of offers’ should he depart Leeds United alongside manager Javi Gracia as expected this week.
That’s according to Estadio Deportivo, who say Orta remains a ‘respected and prestigious’ sporting director despite Leeds struggles over the last two years.
Orta is believed to be on the brink of leaving Elland Road as owner Andrea Radrizzani plans a major shakeup in an attempt to keep them in the Premier League at the last minute.
Manager Javi Gracia already appears to be on the brink of being sacked after the defeat to Bournemouth at the weekend and it is believed Orta will follow him as his transfer business is now questioned.
Those doubts have not reached Spain, though, where he is ‘well known’ and remains in good standing after spells at Real Valladolid, Elche and Sevilla.
Indeed, he was linked with a return to his former club a few weeks ago when Monchi’s future was being questioned and Orta brought the subject up in an interview.
“Being Monchi’s successor, in any team, I don’t know if it’s something I’m ready for, but obviously at some point I want to return to Spain,” he said.
“I feel very selfish. I want my son’s grandparents to spend more time with him, even though I’ve been there for a long time there are cultural differences that cost me, the topic of the weather, which helps.
“You arrive here and it’s 20 degrees. My home is Spain, and I will have to go back. I don’t know how, whether in a club or doing other things, but in the medium term I want to return because I need to personally.”
That was a clear hint he wanted to return to his homeland sooner rather than later and if he does depart Leeds as expected, it seems very likely that’s where he’ll end up.
That should come as no surprise given he’s regularly been linked with jobs in Spain for the majority of his time at Elland Road.
For example, at one point in 2018 it was reported in Spain that it was almost a given he would be joining Deportivo La Coruna as they sought a new director of football.
He then opened up on the idea of moving to Italy, but it’s fair to say he didn’t speak about that with as much enthusiasm as he did in the recent conversation about Sevilla and Spain.
The latter now looks like his next destination when he departs Leeds, with his time there seemingly not sullying the reputation he has in his homeland.
