Leeds United are interested in hiring KRC Genk’s Dimitri de Conde to replace recently fired Victor Orta.
That is according to Nieuwsblad, who report Leeds, along with Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur have de Conde on their respective lists in their search for a new sporting director.
De Conde has been in his role at Genk for over eight-years now in a period that has seen him generate £260 million in player sales, an incredible amount of money in Belgian football.
Genk have been regulars in European cup competitions under de Conde’s leadership, even reaching the quarter-finals of the Europa League back in 2016/17.
The 48-year-old has developed a reputation for developing and selling on top young talent, which is, of course, similar to the strategy Leeds have looked to adopt in recent seasons.
Leeds keen on de Conde
It is imperative that Leeds not only secure the right man to replace Orta, but also in quick time too to ensure they are ready hit the summer transfer window hard regardless of the division they are in.
Links to potential candidates have been few and far between since Orta’s exit but de Conde is clearly someone who fits the bill in terms of the strategy Leeds are trying to adopt.
De Conde is highly rated within his field having reportedly received interest from both Athletic Bilbao and AS Roma earlier in his career.
The only other names to have been linked with the vacant position at Elland Road are Norwich City’s Stuart Webber and Middlesbrough’s Kieran Scott.
While both have good pedigree in the Championship, Leeds are in need of far more than that even if they are relegated on Sunday and de Conde feels like someone who could come in and really implement a long-term strategy.