Llorente struggled to establish himself as a regular starter in the Premier League, with injuries hampering his progress. Despite this, the Spanish defender did manage to show glimpses of his quality when he was fit and on the pitch. However, his time at Leeds was never truly as smooth as the club had hoped, and he was eventually loaned out to Roma in 2022.
Now, after moving on from Leeds, Llorente has opened up about his experiences, especially regarding his time under former director of football, Victor Orta, who played a key role in his signing. It seems Llorente has strong feelings about his time at Elland Road, and his perspective on Orta could provide some insight into the internal dynamics at the club during his tenure.
Llorente’s time at Leeds United was certainly a rollercoaster. After making 59 appearances over three seasons, he struggled to secure a permanent spot in the first team. Despite signing a contract extension just a month before his loan move in January 2023, his time at Elland Road was plagued by inconsistency and injury. The loan to Roma seemed like a fresh start, but after making 54 appearances for the Serie A side, they opted not to make his move permanent.
Instead, Llorente found a new home at Real Betis for just £2.7m, a far cry from the £18m Leeds originally paid for him in 2020. His decision to move on, following a lack of interest from Roma, reflects the decline in his value and status at Leeds. Now at Betis, Llorente will be hoping for a more settled and successful period in his career. It will be interesting to see if he has any final thoughts on his time under Victor Orta, especially after spending such a significant amount of time under his guidance at Leeds.
Diego Llorente’s time at Leeds United may not have been entirely successful on the pitch, but his relationship with former director of football, Víctor Orta, seems to have been positive. Speaking to Diario De Sevilla, Llorente shared his thoughts on Orta, emphasizing the support he received during his time at Leeds. Despite the challenges Llorente faced at the club, he expressed his gratitude for how Orta treated him, saying, “I’ve very good memories of him, because in the end in football, there are people and friendships. Víctor treated me very well when at Leeds, he gave me all his support. For that I’ll always be grateful to him.”
This perspective offers a different view of Orta’s role at Leeds, where his tenure was often met with mixed reactions from fans, but Llorente’s comments highlight a personal connection and appreciation for the support he received during his time at the club.
Victor Orta’s tenure as Leeds United’s director of football has been a subject of debate, with mixed opinions on his overall success at the club. His time at Leeds saw some notable highs and lows, with significant contributions to the club’s recruitment strategy, but also some key missteps.
On the positive side, Orta played a pivotal role in Leeds’ return to the Premier League in 2020, overseeing the signing of key players like Rodrigo, Raphinha, and Kalvin Phillips—many of whom contributed significantly to the club’s survival and success in the top flight. Orta was also instrumental in attracting manager Marcelo Bielsa, which led to a successful promotion campaign and a strong first season in the Premier League.
However, Orta’s tenure was not without criticism. Some of his signings didn’t quite live up to expectations, and his dealings in the transfer market were often scrutinized, especially when it came to defensive reinforcements. Additionally, his decision to pass on Viktor Gyökeres, who now has a much higher market value, has come under scrutiny, especially as the Swedish forward has been excelling at Sporting Lisbon.
Orta’s departure in 2024 also coincided with Leeds’ struggles to maintain Premier League status, and many supporters felt that his strategies and decisions in the transfer market were a contributing factor. However, others argue that Orta did the best he could given the financial constraints and challenges Leeds faced, particularly after relegation.
In short, while Orta did make some key signings and helped lead Leeds to the Premier League, his overall legacy at the club is clouded by missed opportunities and some questionable decisions in the transfer market.
Victor Orta’s tenure at Leeds United is marked by both brilliance and controversy. One of his defining achievements was the appointment of Marcelo Bielsa as manager in 2018, a decision that many believe was instrumental in Leeds’ promotion to the Premier League after a 16-year absence. Bielsa’s innovative approach to football transformed the club, earning him legendary status at Elland Road. Orta played a key role in this appointment, and for that, he will always be remembered fondly by many Leeds supporters.
However, Orta’s legacy is tarnished by his decision to sack Bielsa in February 2022, replacing him with Jesse Marsch. This move ultimately proved disastrous for the club. While Marsch initially stabilized the team, his tactics failed to yield consistent results, and Leeds were relegated to the Championship in 2024. The decision to part ways with Bielsa, particularly when he had brought the club so much success, remains one of the most contentious moments in Orta’s tenure.
The summer of 2022 was another low point for Orta, as the club’s transfer business failed to address key areas of need. Despite spending substantial amounts, the signings largely underperformed, with defensive and midfield reinforcements proving insufficient. This poor recruitment, coupled with a failure to strengthen the squad adequately, played a significant role in Leeds’ relegation struggles.
Additionally, Orta’s decision to include relegation clauses in player contracts became a point of contention. These clauses allowed several key players to leave if the club was relegated, which further weakened the squad during the 2023/24 campaign. The decision to allow so many players to leave in the event of relegation has been widely criticized for lacking foresight and contributing to the club’s downfall.
In summary, while Orta was behind some key successes, such as Bielsa’s appointment and a few notable signings, his decisions in the latter years, particularly regarding managerial changes and the poor summer transfer windows, have overshadowed his earlier achievements. The legacy of Victor Orta at Leeds United is ultimately a complex one, with both high points and glaring failures that contributed to the club’s downfall.
Absolutely, one of Victor Orta’s major achievements during his time at Leeds United was his knack for identifying young talent with significant resale value. While some of his decisions, particularly regarding managerial appointments and certain transfers, were contentious, his success in the transfer market with young players is undeniable.
Raphinha was one of Orta’s standout signings, joining Leeds in 2020 for a relatively modest fee from French side Rennes. His explosive performances, particularly in his first season in the Premier League, saw his value soar. Raphinha’s eventual £55 million transfer to Barcelona in 2022 marked a major profit for Leeds and was one of the club’s most lucrative transfers in recent history.
Mateo Joseph is another example of Orta’s ability to spot potential. The young striker, who joined Leeds from Espanyol in 2021, has quickly risen to prominence, with his Expected Transfer Value (ETV) increasing significantly in recent months. His development into a first-team player at Leeds, after shining in the academy, highlights Orta’s focus on long-term talent development.
Crysencio Summerville, who was brought in from Feyenoord, has also been a revelation at Leeds, showcasing pace and skill on the wing. His rise to prominence in the first team has made him a valuable asset, and his future looks bright, whether at Leeds or in a potential future transfer.
Pascal Struijk, a player Orta signed from Ajax, has been a consistent performer for Leeds and a key part of their defensive setup, despite the club’s recent struggles. His versatility across the backline has made him a valuable asset, and his increasing value shows Orta’s keen eye for potential bargains.
Wilfried Gnonto, another promising talent, was signed from FC Zurich. Despite being relatively unknown at the time, Gnonto’s performances for Leeds have been impressive, and he has quickly become a fan favorite. His ability to play on both wings and his flair has made him a valuable player for Leeds, and his potential resale value is significant.
Finally, Illan Meslier, one of the best young goalkeepers in Europe, was signed by Orta from French club Lorient. Meslier’s development into one of the Premier League’s most promising shot-stoppers has only increased his value, and he represents one of Orta’s most successful pieces of recruitment. His potential to be sold for a significant sum in the future is a major win for Orta’s legacy.
In summary, while Orta’s time at Leeds was marred by some poor decisions, his success in signing young, talented players with high resale value is a significant positive in his legacy. Many of these players, including Raphinha, Meslier, and Summerville, are now seen as key assets for the club, and Orta’s ability to spot potential in young players helped solidify Leeds’ financial position even during difficult times.