Victor Orta has plenty of critics from those of a Leeds United persuasion for his time at Elland Road. The decision to sack Marcelo Bielsa and subsequently hire Jesse Marsch is his biggest mistake of all.
Even if the Leeds hierarchy at the time, largely comprising of Andrea Radrizzani, Orta and Angus Kinnear felt Bielsa’s time had come to an end, it was Orta who was choosing the manager to replace Bielsa.
He got it completely wrong in Marsch and yet, allowed the American freedom in the transfer market. A fatal mistake that Leeds continue to pay for, left with the unsellable £25m signing of Brenden Aaronson.
Orta was criticised for his arguments with fans at Elland Road, his work in the window during Leeds’ final year of the Premier League and then, leaving the club just before Leeds were relegated in 2022-23.
Mateo Joseph shares his admiration for Victor Orta at Leeds
One positive of Orta’s tenure was his ability to buy young, unknown talent that had a chance of breaking into the senior side. Pascal Struijk, Willy Gnonto, Illan Meslier, Mateo Joseph and others are examples.
Raphinha was, without doubt, his best buy as sporting director at Leeds, but his continued work in signing youngsters helped Leeds on and off the pitch. Crysencio Summerville was sold for pure profit at £34m.
Joseph was lured to Elland Road by Orta and his assistant, Gaby Ruiz, in January 2022 from Espanyol. Now at Mallorca, Joseph shared his love of Orta to Diario De Mallorca, and Orta’s behind-scenes prediction.
“Everything they told me when they came to see me has come to pass. They’re two great people; they had a lot of trust in me, and I’m so grateful for that and I wish them the best,” Joseph said about Orta.
What Robbie Evans said about Mateo Joseph’s loan to Mallorca
Leeds agreed a straight loan deal with Mallorca for Joseph. Despite Joseph forcing a move away from Leeds and the striker’s comments about Daniel Farke since, Leeds didn’t want to sell Joseph permanently.
LeedsUnited.News understands that Leeds had agreed to sell Joseph but only if a £10m fee arrived. Clubs interested in buying wanted a loan with an option, something Evans says Leeds were not willing to do.
“We simply said there’s no way you’re getting an option on this player. Our hope is he has a phenomenal season at Mallorca and comes back. He’s a favourite of the chairman,” Evans said, as per BBC Sport.
Joseph has three years remaining on his contract at Leeds. As things stand, he will return to Elland Road after the loan, but the way things ended this summer, it would be a surprise if he plays for Leeds again.
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