Chris Armas speaks out about mystery Leeds United spell after he's sacked without official word

Chris Armas has spoken out about his Leeds United exit after the assistant was sacked earlier this week without any official word.

The American left the club after there was no indication that he had a role to play in Sam Allardyce’s set-up, according to The Athletic (8 May). 

Despite his low-key exit, Armas looks back on his time in England fondly, having also worked alongside Ralf Rangnick at Manchester United.

“I would say my time in England was a positive,” said Armas, as quoted by The Athletic. “It was well-received by so many people in and around where I lived and inside the clubs, and that’s what meant more to me than some things that were written at the time.

“It was amazing to get back there with Leeds to play against Man United. When a dozen players, staff, they’re waiting for me after the game in the tunnel to say hello - Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire, a bunch of guys, Victor (Lindelof), big hugs all around. 

“And again, that means more to me than anything else because you realise your time there was, yes, it’s about wins and losses, for sure, it’s about growing, but it’s about the connections, always.”

Frustrating spell at Elland Road

Allardyce hasn’t been given much time at all to steady the ship at Elland Road and work his magic in a Premier League dugout once again.

But what he has been given is the freedom to do things how he wants to do them, with no one at the club daring to challenge his methods given how successful he has been in this exact situation in the past.

That was the precise reason he was hired, with Big Sam coming in at the last minute to hopefully save the club from a dreaded relegation to the Championship.

Unfortunately for Armas, he was one of the unlucky ones, with Allardyce bringing in his own background staff to try and fix the various issues on the pitch at Elland Road.

It capped a frustrating spell for the coach in West Yorkshire, with Armas only spending 12 days as Jesse Marsch’s assistant due to the latter’s immediate sacking shortly after the former’s arrival in January.

In other Leeds United news, one Newcastle player appears to have proven his fitness battle ahead of facing the Whites on Saturday (13 May).