Former Leeds United sporting director Victor Orta has broken his silence following his Elland Road departure. The 44-year-old has replaced Monchi at Europa League winners Sevilla and tasked with overseeing recruitment at the Spanish side ahead of their Champions League return.
Orta was speaking at his unveiling at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium - returning to the club where he was technical assistant during 2006-20013. The Spaniard left the Whites ahead of their relegation to the Championship, following a series of bad decisions.
The 4-1 defeat to Bournemouth proved to be the final straw for the Leeds United board. Orta told the Athletic he 'forgot about the bad times the day he closed the door' at Elland Road, but claims supporters' expectations were double due to him being a foreigner.
Orta said: “I had a very satisfactory time there, taking a team which had been 16 years in the lower divisions, as a foreigner in England, where they demand double of you.
READ MORE: Every 49ers Enterprises and proposed Leeds United investor and how much they're worth
“I managed a Premier League budget, all that means, managed the club as a director general, always aiming for the best for the team.
“It was a very important part of my life, with some very good moments, and the bad moments are forgotten. I forgot about that the day the door closed, just wanted to remember the good times I had there.”
Legendary director Monchi left Sevilla to join Aston Villa and link up with Unai Emery in the Premier League, allowing the apprentice to become the master. Orta worked under Monchi for more than a decade and has big shoes to fill.
“Sevilla contacted me Friday night, just before confirmation of Monchi’s exit," Orta said. "I received an offer on Saturday, there was a small negotiation, and now I’m here on Tuesday afternoon. It could not have been done more smoothly.
“It’s always a long-term plan, the sporting director’s job is to build a project. Short-termism in football never works. I have the ambition to be here as long as possible, winning games, getting results. The same here at Sevilla, at Leeds United, at any team in the world.”
