Sources: Leeds United to sack Javi Gracia and Victor Orta in next 24 hours
Leeds United are set to sack Javi Gracia and Victor Orta in the next 24 hours, sources have told Football Insider.
Whites chiefs have been locked in talks since Sunday night (30 April) weighing up seismic changes to preserve the club’s Premier League status.
A crisis meeting began in the wake of Sunday’s 4-1 defeat to Bournemouth and internal discussions continued on Bank Holiday Monday (1 May).
They are now ready to dismiss not only Gracia after 12 matches in charge – but also director of football Orta.
The duo are set to pay the price for a wretched few weeks that has left United deep in relegation trouble.
Gracia, who turned 53 on Monday (1 May), was only appointed at Leeds in February but has won just three of his 12 games at the helm.
He only signed a contract running until the end of the season when he succeeded Jesse March.
The board have not only spent the day discussing the former Watford manager’s position but also that of Orta, with just four games remaining as they seek to try and preserve their Premier League status.
Orta has been at the club since 2017 after joining from Middlesbrough – where he also held a sporting director role.
Chairman Andrea Radrizzani would have any final say over the pair’s futures.
Football Insider revealed on Saturday (29 April) that Leeds have a growing interest in Blackburn Rovers manager Jon Dahl Tomasson – who is considered a natural replacement for Marcelo Bielsa by club chiefs.
Leeds picked up just one point from a possible 15 in April, shipping 18 goals in the process.
The Whites, who have games against Man City, Newcastle, West Ham and Tottenham to play, could drop even further down the table on Monday night (1 May).
The club are 16th in the Premier League – just one point ahead of 18th-placed Leicester City and two ahead of 19th-placed Everton, who play each other on Monday.
In other news, Leeds United and West Ham race to sign Ligue 1 star.