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Rio Ferdinand derides Richard Keys and Andy Gray's Leeds United suggestion
Rio Ferdinand reacted with amazement at the news that Richard Keys and Andy Gray had seriously said Leeds United should appoint Sam Allardyce.
Following the removal of Marcelo Bielsa, the beIN Sports presenters had immediately suggested the one-game former England manager as a better option than American Jesse Marsch, who was appointed on Monday (28 February).
The highly experienced former West Brom boss was touted as necessary due to his experience of keeping sides in the Premier League, as the Whites are just two points from the relegation zone and in terrible form.
But Keys especially has a history of promoting the prospects of the long-time Bolton manager, leading to ex-England captain Ferdinand to deride the suggestions.
Speaking on his Vibe with FIVE YouTube channel he reacted to hearing the idea by saying: “Is that what they said? You can’t go from Bielsa to Big Sam. No! Big Sam is their mate, isn’t he?!”
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Who ever would have expected that it would be Big Sam who the former Sky Sports pair would be tipping for the role?
Since Steve Bruce recently took the West Brom job and Mark Hughes has gone to Bradford, Allardyce was the obvious man that they would raise.
It was only a year ago that Keys was tipping the ex-Crystal Palace, Everton and Sunderland boss to be appointed on a temporary basis at Manchester City to help Pep Guardiola coach his defence (Mirror).
Leeds fans would not have accepted such a reductive move, even considering the thrashings they were receiving under Bielsa.
Plenty did not want to even see him go despite that, so if he was replaced by one of the usual faces it would have gone down very badly.
At least with Marsch it appears that the hierarchy have some form of plan.
He certainly has a major job on his hands though, to reverse the side’s recent fortunes and avoid relegation.
If he fails it would cement an utterly miserable season at Elland Road.
In other Leeds United news, star players are tipped to follow the manager out of the club.