sport news DAVID COVERDALE: Sam Allardyce holds court as four-game spell with Leeds begins trends now
He issued a fine for a phone going off, took aim at the judiciary, revealed he nearly died from Covid and claimed he was as good as Pep Guardiola. Yes, Big Sam is back – and it as if he has never been away.
‘Two seconds’ was all Sam Allardyce said it took to him accept Leeds United’s offer to return to management after two years out of the game. No wonder, really, given he could bank £3million if he pulls off what he admits would be the greatest of all his great escapes.
Such was his excitement about being back in the big time, Allardyce conducted a live radio interview from his new office at Leeds’ Thorp Arch training ground even before his appointment – and the sacking of Javi Gracia - had been confirmed by the club.
That announcement finally came at 10.30am and, following his first training session, he was in front of the TV cameras by 4pm. There, Allardyce was in his element, holding court for almost 45 minutes, three times the length of his predecessor’s rather more mundane media addresses.
Sam Allardyce held his first press conference as Leeds manager on Wednesday afternoon
The veteran boss, making his return to the dugout after two years away, was in his element
He held court by taking on the judiciary and claiming he was on par with Pep Guardiola
‘We start with an easy one on Saturday,’ grinned the 68-year-old. ‘You can’t really get any easier, can you?’ That ‘easy’ fixture is at champions Manchester City. Then, he takes on two of his former clubs, Newcastle at home and West Ham away, before Tottenham visit on the final day of the season.
‘To try and save this club and keep it in the Premier League is a big responsibility and a big challenge but one I was prepared to take because of who Leeds United are,’ said Allardyce, whose side are only out of the relegation zone on goal difference and have not won in five games.
‘It is probably my biggest challenge because of the shortness of games that are left. From the great escape point of view, it would be the greatest, because it is only four games.
‘We have to pull off a surprise win from somewhere. I don’t think anybody outside of Leeds expects us to win any of
