Andy Goldstein can’t believe what Sam Allardyce said in first Leeds United press conference
TalkSPORT presenter Andy Goldstein was left in total disbelief by Sam Allardyce’s comments in his first Leeds United press conference after his appointment on Wednesday [3 May].
The Whites sacked Javi Gracia and hired [3 May] the experienced former England boss as his replacement for the rest of the season as they look to fight off relegation in their remaining four Premier League games.
And in his first press conference soon after he was announced, Allardyce boldly claimed he is “up there” with any manager in the Premier League including Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola and Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp.
And providing his reaction to Allardyce’s bold claims, Goldstein could not believe what he was hearing live on air for talkSPORT [3 May].
He said: “Is this real?
“I haven’t heard it all, I’ve only heard it now but oh my big Sam Allardyce has been speaking at his first press conference as Leeds United manager, and said that despite his age, he’s up there with the best.
“Yeah, they’re going down. What is that all about?! What are you talking about?! No one ahead of me?!
“That is such a worry if I was a Leeds United fan, hearing that. Of course they’re ahead of you, they’ve won stuff for a start, they’re in charge of massive clubs. They’re current, you’ve been out of the game for a couple of years.”
Very bold
Wow. Allardyce has been known to deliver some wild comments and takes throughout his career in the past but this latest comment is totally beyond belief and is very bold, to say the least.
Certainly, he holds an impressive track record of keeping clubs up and holds some crucial experience in the Premier League but he is simply nowhere near Guardiola or Klopp’s level.
If the former Blackburn and Bolton Wanderers boss is to make these comments and believe them thereafter, then he’s got to deliver Premier League safety for Leeds United after this.
We can’t certainly fault Allardyce’s belief in himself to deliver and the Leeds United fans will be desperate for him to, but Goldstein is right, some sections of the Whites fanbase will be worried by these comments.
Let’s hope this is the last of them as the club faces a pivotal last few weeks of the season. What will be the reaction then if Allardyce fails to keep the club up?
In other Leeds news, a seven-figure bonus handed out as Allardyce joins Elland Road.