Leeds tipped to bounce back but Sam Allardyce approaching end of the road – journalist
Leeds United have been tipped to bounce back in the likely event of relegation to the Championship but Sam Allardyce’s prospects of a return to management in the Premier League have been questioned by this Telegraph report.
Sunday’s defeat at West Ham leaves the Whites staring down the barrel with their immediate fate now out of their own hands, with Allardyce unable to prevent the slide in recent weeks.
Leeds must win against Tottenham Hotspur next Sunday and look for other results to go their way if they are to secure an unlikely stay in the top flight.
In his piece for the Telegraph, Thom Gibbs reflected on a very sober response from Big Sam after the defeat at the London Stadium.
“I can only try my best and give the players the right sort of instructions and show them how to win a game of football,” he said.
“Unfortunately for me and for them that hasn’t worked yet. It was always going to be a difficult task. A lot of people have said how mad I am taking it but I’m not mad, I just love football and Leeds United was too big a job to turn down, however short it was.
“Allardyce was surely speaking here about the time he had to save the club from relegation, rather than assuming he will not be in charge next season, but the future is uncertain for both him and his employer.
“Should they go down, at least Leeds can rebuild with a promising crop of youngsters in the Championship.
“In that event, it would mean two successive relegations for the one-time saviour of Premier League clubs in crisis. One day, Leeds will be back. The same cannot be said for Allardyce.”
No quick fix
Having forged his reputation as a survival specialist, the Whites turned to the veteran boss in a desperate last-ditch bid for salvation but instead of a great escape, an inevitable outcome is unfolding.
Four games to prevent relegation was never likely to be enough considering how the last few months have unfolded at Elland Road.
The last win was on 04 April against Nottingham Forest, nine games ago whilst the Whites conceded 26 goals in the same period with the last clean sheet coming on 25 February.
The squad is just not equipped for the demands of the Premier League which Allardyce has effectively stated.
A small, unlikely chance remains for the club to avoid relegation but whether that happens or not, stability and progress is required on and off the pitch after a lengthy period of regression.
Leeds are likely to bring in a new manager in the coming months depending on the takeover situation but they are finding out the hard way, overall, that there is no quick fix.
In other Leeds United news, one EFL club chief has refused to be drawn on links between him and the vacant director of football role after Victor Orta’s departure.