As Victor Orta packs his bags at Sevilla, there has been more suggestion of the poor recruitment model Leeds United had from departing board member and Everton’s new CEO Angus Kinnear.
The 49ers have succeeded in their initial mission of getting Leeds back into the Premier League, but their job now is consolidation in the top flight, something Leeds could have had last time they were in the division, only for recruitment decisions to see them relegated.
Victor Orta caught most of the blame for that, and his role as director of football at Elland Road is one that few clubs in England are going down, according to Angus Kinnear.
Most Read on LeedsAllOver
Angus Kinnear shares verdict on director of football model after Leeds United exit
Two years on from Orta’s exit from the club, Kinnear has now also officially departed to take up a likewise role with Leeds’ new Premier League rivals Everton.
(Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Kinnear has a big task on his hands to ensure a smooth transition for the Toffees into their new Bramley Moore Dock stadium, and is looking to learn from the mistakes he has made in the past, or that his previous employers did.
In speaking about his first week in charge on Merseyside, Kinnear notes how he’s going to avoid a model at Everton that he previously experienced at Leeds when Orta was around.
“In my experience, the best structures are where you have individual experts leading the functions,” Kinnear said, speaking to Everton TV.
“There’s been a move in recent years to a single director of football model. That can be challenging.
“We’re moving to a broader, flatter structure where we have experts in analytics, operations, recruitment and talent ID and trading. Delighted with the individuals we’ve been attracted.”
Will Leeds United stay up in the Premier League?
Yes
Yes
Vote
No
No
Vote
Kinnear’s point appears to have been proven by the fact that Orta’s latest club after leaving Leeds, Sevilla, have decided to part ways with the Spaniard.
It comes after a worrying slide towards a relegation battle, with victory over Las Palmas this week ensuring they can look forward to La Liga football next season, but with huge changes afoot – including replacing Orta.
Angus Kinnear is right – All of Leeds United need to pull in same direction, no more Orta mistakes
Having one man essentially in charge of all sporting decisions at the club was always going to work out poorly, because it leaves our fate down to the judgement of one person.
Orta, therefore, ended up being attributed with all of our failures and it’s no surprise, given some of the transfers and manager decisions we made.
Kinnear appears to have learned from that mistake, but unfortunately, Leeds had to take their medicine with relegation.
Hopefully the 49ers follow suit have already realised how the business model Leeds previously ran with was not up to scratch.