Aitor Karanka closes on Leeds job after pal Victor Orta is named Whites director of football
AITOR KARANKA is close to being named as new Leeds boss - after his big mate Victor Orta was hired as Elland Road's director of football.
Orta hooked up with the Whites after spending two years at Boro working closely with his fellow Spaniard Karanka on player recruitment.
But he became vulnerable following Karanka's sacking as manager in March.
And the axe finally fell last week after Boro's relegation from the Premier League.
Now the pair are on course to renew their partnership at Leeds, with Karanka the hot favourite to replace Garry Monk at the Yorkshire club's helm.
New United owner Andrea Radrizzani believes Orta will play a key role in helping the fallen giants get back to the big time.
He said: "I am delighted to welcome Victor to Elland Road.
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"I have been impressed by his knowledge of the game, his extensive scouting network and his desire to help us achieve our objective of getting Leeds back to the Premier League."
Orta added: “I am excited by the opportunity to become Director of Football at a great club like Leeds United.
“Once I had met with Andrea Radrizzani and spoken to him about his plans to take the club forward, I knew that this was the right move for me and I am confident that we can achieve great things in the coming years.”