Sam Allardyce was only eliminated from the Premier League for West Brom. Allardyce tested his wits against the Premier League's top players and his message is: «I'm as good as Guardiola and Klopp.» There may be no better opponent in his first match as Leeds United manager than his Manchester City counterpart on Saturday.
'If my name was Allardici' has long been the lament of the former England manager and now he has the chance to prove it by answering Andrea Radrizzani's SOS to take control of the last four games in Leeds. . He had little or no chance of a result against City on Saturday, but there will be some indication at the Etihad Stadium as to whether results against Newcastle, West Ham or Tottenham are possible after that.
Allardyce set to work dressed in a Leeds tracksuit when he addressed reporters hours after his arrival during breakfast at Thorpe Ark's headquarters. Lately they've gotten used to Marcelo Bielsa in these parts, but these are desperate times that require the help of a survival expert.
After conceding 18 goals in his last five games, the task is clear for Allardyce, having last held that position in 2021 while in charge of West Bromwich Albion. Now he's getting back to basics, stopping the rot at Leeds in the hope they can score enough points to stay above the bottom three, where they currently rely on goal difference.
«Too many people think I'm old and dated,» Allardyce said. “But no one is ahead of me in terms of football. Not [Jurgen] Klopp, not Pep [Guardiola], not [Mikel] Arteta. I'm not saying I'm better than them, but I'm no worse than them.»
This type of belief will be needed to keep them from the drop zone. When he was a pundit, not working as a manager, he told Sky Sports that the attempt to survive was built on clean sheets. It will be his backline in the coming days, with Liam Cooper and Robin Koch at her heart, getting the Big Sam treatment.
«We will try to win their trust and set up a system of play to say that's the way to stop the opposition,» said Allardyce, who will earn a base £500,000 before the end of the season. season and a £2 million bonus if Leeds stay up.
“There was just as much positive emotion on the pitch as it was at the training ground, when we asked the players to tell us what they thought would help us improve the situation. We can only ask a question, but the only pleasure they get from playing together is the result.”
Guardiola: Allardyce is right
Guardiola was asked about Allardyce's comments after Manchester City's victory over West Ham on Wednesday night, which returned his side to the top spot in the Premier League.
«He's right,» said Guardiola. “I want to be honest, look what happened to Neil Warnock at Huddersfield, these incredible managers did it [in] the Premier League or in this competition. Roy Hodgson from Crystal Palace… they are really good, they know the game very well.
“It will be tough [against Leeds]. He [Allardyce] has charisma and knows exactly what to do. This type of old managers, now people with 35, 40 we are inventing football – no, football has already been created.”
Pep Guardiola and Sam Allardyce will face each other this weekend. Photo: Reuters/Peter Powell Allardyce: 'The chances are this. against us
Allardyce will work alongside former Oxford manager Carl Robinson and ex-Leeds striker Robbie Keane to turn the tide.
«We have a sports psychologist here and it's a huge part of my life, I've personally used a lot and I'm a big proponent of it,» Allardyce said. “Trying to shut Robbie up is the first thing he does, he never shuts up. I've known him for a while and we talked a lot about him becoming a coach.
“Never say never, it depends on what happens at the end of the four matches, what the talk is about and how I feel, and more importantly, how the wife feels. I can't make her as nervous as I am again, but here she is, like gold.
“Here the odds are against us, but with the teams I had before we did it. I've spent more time with these commands, which is a concern. We show them what to do, that's how we do it, we talk about it and then we do it on the training ground. We will work today, tomorrow and Friday, not forgetting what we do in the possession. We have to give our best to give us a chance to get the ball and attack City.»
Radrizzani is 'deeply saddened' by Horta's departure
Football director Victor Horta has also left the club, Leeds confirmed. The 44-year-old Spaniard was in the line of fire during the club's poor results under Jesse Marsh and Grazia.
«I am deeply saddened by the way this chapter is closing as Victor was responsible for some of the best moments of my time at as the owner of Leeds,” Radrizzani said. «United and I thank him and his people for all they have done over the past six years.
“However, it is clear that it is time to change direction, and therefore we have agreed that Viktor will leave the club. I understand that supporters are offended and upset, but now is the time for unity. We have four cup finals to play this season and by working together I believe we can survive.» a huge role in the appointment of Marcelo Bielsa as manager in 2018. Photo: Getty Images/Oli Scarff
Horta was aggressive with fans, sometimes arguing with them from the directors' box during home games. He also clashed with a small group of fans on the last day of last season when Leeds secured survival by noting that they had years in the EFL before the current board was in place.
He was appointed by Radrizzani . when he took control of the club in 2017 and chief executive Angus Kinnear credited Horta with a move to Marcelo Bielsa that ended with a return to the Premier League after a 16-year absence.
But signing him after returning to the top The division has been under scrutiny with the last January transfer window including Georginio Rutter, who arrived from Hoffenheim for £36m. The French forward has yet to score a goal in English football.
Horta has also drawn up a shortlist for the manager to replace Bielsa, with Marsh his clear leader, along with Ernesto Valverde and Carlos Corberan, who were considered when the legendary the Argentine coach was fired. Marsh just kept Leeds in the top flight and a year later they are in the worst position at this stage of the season.
Свежие комментарии