Leeds United’s new director of football Victor Orta has been delegated huge authority at the club by owner Andrea Radrizzani.
That is the verdict of Yorkshire Evening Post correspondent Phil Hay as he explained in an interview with the newspaper to explain how the management structure has changed during the major revamp at Elland Road in recent weeks.
Andrea Christiansen was presented to the media as the new manager on Monday and it was confirmed he will be joined by a new-look backroom team following the clear-out of former manager Garry Monk’s staff that included the departure of the popular Pep Clotet.
Christiansen’s arrival follows Orta’s appointment as the new recruitment guru at the end of last month and continues the Spanish invasion that began when Ivan Bravo was named last month on the Leeds board of directors.
“The key day to day operations will be handled by Angus Kinnear, the managing director, and Victor Orta,” said Hay. “Radrizzani did say when he bought the club that he would try to delegate a much authority as possible.
“Very forthright character, Victor Orta. He spoke more at the press conference than Christiansen and was able to speak about Clotet and the backroom staff and also made interesting comments about Chris Wood and the recruitment strategy generally at Elland Road.
“It was clear he will be a forthright member of the team and will very much dictate a lot of what goes on this summer in terms of players coming in and the way the club is going to be run.
“There is no doubt there is a big change from what we’re used to at Elland Road and a big change from what a conventional English manager is used to.”
Orta has arrived at Leeds after leaving his European recruitment post at Middlesbrough following their relegation from the Premier League.