Former Leeds sporting director Victor Orta is seen as the architect of the club's promotion to the Premier League a few years ago.

That is according to a leaked email from CEO Angus Kinnear, which will surprise Leeds fans.

Orta has been sacked by the club, along with manager Javi Gracia and much of his staff.

Sam Allardyce will take charge of the club's last four games of the Premier League season.

The email reads: “Team, I am very sorry to have to tell you that Victor has agreed with Andrea to leave the club.

“As you all know, not only has Victor been the architect of our promotion but he has also been unofficially responsible for [the] vital job of managing morale within the Club! From a personal perspective he has been a great friend as we have traveled the length and breadth of the country from defeat in Newport to victory at Anfield and the Etihad.

“His passion and energy to "make Leeds great again" has been unmatched and we owe him a lot. Despite our [current] challenges he leaves a legacy in a revolutionized football operation and a pipeline of young talent that will perform for Leeds for many years to come.

“We will be arranging a formal farewell in the near future."