Andy Gray defends Sam Allardyce as Richard Keys laughs at new Leeds United manager live on air
Andy Gray has defended Sam Allardyce after he and Richard Keys were amused by the new Leeds United manager’s comments in his first press conference.
Speaking on Wednesday after being officially unveiled as Leeds’ fourth manager of the season, Allardyce compared himself to Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp and Mikel Arteta.
After seeing a video clip of Big Sam saying he’s “up there” and “as good as” those three managers, Gray recalled the new Leeds manager’s days at Bolton in a bid to explain his words.
As shown in a video clip on the beIN SPORTS Twitter account on Wednesday (3 May), Keys and Gray laughed at Allardyce before Gray said: “He’s back, isn’t he?”
Keys then said: “It’s hard to argue with the things that he’s said, isn’t it?”
Gray replied: “I agree certainly with the knowledge that he possesses as a coach. Yes, he’s right up there. He has to be.
“He was so innovative at Bolton if you remember, Richard. People forget that Sam was an innovator. He wasn’t just somebody who just got on and coached, did this, put his team out, played 4-4-2 and went, ‘that’s all we do’. He wasn’t.”
Silly
It’s not a good start for Big Sam, is it?
Everyone has mocked Leeds for sacking Javi Gracia and hiring the former West Brom, Everton, Newcastle, Sunderland and Crystal Palace manager, who’s been tasked with keeping the Whites in the Premier League.
He’s got four games to do it against Manchester City, Newcastle, West Ham and Tottenham.
It’s not going to be easy for the ex-England boss.
Leeds have survival in their hands, which is a good thing. But Everton, Leicester and Nottingham Forest all have the potential to finish above us with fixtures that aren’t as hard.
Allardyce has shifted the narrative onto himself though with comments that weren’t exactly well thought out in his debut press conference as the Leeds United manager.
He’s got nothing to prove really and there’s nothing he can do to back his words up.
All he’s done is open himself up to ridicule.
In other Leeds United news, Leeds are ready to put £14million on the table to sign this player.