BBC NEWS: Orta finally set to reunite with the 53-year-old at Elland Road, as he appointed Gracia on a deal until the end of the season

Victor Orta has been left with a decision to make at Sevilla as the club’s sporting director after Jose Luis Mendilibar was sacked on Sunday – and Estadio Deportivo say a Leeds United reunion is on the cards.

Mendilibar, 62, was given his marching orders after a 2-2 draw at home to Rayo. A game in which Rayo lead 2-0, only for Youssef En-Nesyri to equalise on 96 minutes. Sevilla are far from their best right now.

They sit in a lowly 14th, winning just two of eight league games. So, Sevilla have made the decision to get rid of Mendilibar and now, Orta is tasked with bringing in a replacement in order to save the season.

Estadio Deportivo name a few options. Marcelino, Xabi Alonso, Andoni Iraola and Raul – both of whom were targeted by Orta during his time at Leeds. AS said Raul had rejected a move to Leeds in February.

However, Javi Gracia is mentioned in the report. A manager who was in charge of Leeds for only 12 games, winning three of them. According to the report,’many eyes’ are on the ex-Leeds gaffer.

Gracia, 53, started well at Leeds but it tailed off. It happened in a split moment. After solid wins against Forest, Southampton and Wolves – we were 1-0 up against Palace, but conceded in first-half injury time.

It capitulated from then on in. We lost that game 5-1, safety in the form of a 1-0 win – now staring down the barrel of a 5-1 loss and possible relegation. Of course, that relegation came about under Big Sam.

Orta appointed Gracia on a deal until the end of the season after being rejected by the likes of Iraola and Raul. He left in the same few days that Gracia departed. Now, they could reunite in charge of Sevilla.

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