Sam Allardyce, the former England Manager has been appointed as the new Leeds boss until the end of the season.
His appointment came on the back of the sacking of head coach, Javi Gracia following just two-and-a-half months in charge.
Samuel Allardyce, who was former New Castle Defender, has been out of work since leaving West Brom in May 2021. His appointment marks his shock return to football. He will try and save Leeds from Premier League relegation with only four games of the season remaining.
The 68-year-old faces a daunting run-in that includes a visit to leaders Manchester City, then home games against Newcastle and Tottenham, as well as a trip to West Ham.
Allardyce, who previously rescued Sunderland and Crystal Palace from potential relegation, becomes the club’s fourth head coach of the season.
Gracia leaves the club after just 12 games in charge. Zigor Aranalde, Mikel Antia and Juan Solla, who joined alongside Gracia, have also departed.
A club statement reads: “Allardyce has managed over 500 Premier League games in a managerial career stretching 29 years and he brings a wealth of knowledge in fighting for survival, having guided a number of his previous clubs to safety”.
Allardyce will be assisted by former MK Dons, Charlton Athletic and Oxford United manager Karl Robinson.
Robbie Keane is also expected to join Allardyce’s backroom team.
Gracia was appointed as Jesse Marsch’s successor in February on a “flexible contract”, but four defeats in their last five games have left Leeds above the Premier League relegation zone only on goal difference.
Sunday’s 4-1 defeat at Bournemouth ended a terrible April for Gracia and Leeds as they also lost successive home games to Crystal Palace and Liverpool 5-1 and 6-1 respectively. They conceded 23 goals in April, a new Premier League record for goals against in a month.
On Sunday night, fans’ group, the Leeds United Supporters Advisory Board issued a vote of no confidence in both the club’s board and head coach Gracia.
Meanwhile, the Director of football, Victor Orta, also left the club by mutual consent on having been in disagreement with the board over Gracia’s position.
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