JOE BERNSTEIN: Back after a two-year sabbatical, Big Sam has four games to rescue Leeds

Sam Allardyce has enjoyed the two years since he was last in a football dugout in West Brom.

He made regular visits to his favorite holiday destination Dubai, was abroad for research work, spent quality time with his grandchildren and hosted a popular podcast ‘No tippy tappy football’.

Wife Lynne was pleased that her husband, who underwent heart surgery during his time at Blackburn, no longer had to endure the daily stresses of football management. And in a recent podcast, Big Sam himself gave a realistic take on what the job entails, explaining why he turned down offers during his long sabbatical.

“You manage the madness in the Premier League and it’s never been as crazy as this season,” he said. “It’s the biggest battle we’ve ever had in the last few games with so many teams still involved in the fight against relegation. It’s a very difficult profession.’

But when Leeds United come knocking, turning down the chance for a last big inning is a big decision. The Yorkshire club are in a state of emergency having already sacked Jesse Marsch and seen his replacement Javi Gracia take just one point from the last 15, leaving the club outside the relegation zone only on goal difference.

Javi Gracia was suspended on Tuesday, marking the Yorkshire club’s second dismissal of the season

“Even my friends call me Red Adair,” joked Allardyce when he went to West Brom with a reputation for saving troubled clubs.

The ex-England boss is enjoying time in Dubai with his wife Lynne during his two-year break

On that occasion, he was unable to work the magic at The Hawthorns and suffered a first relegation on his resume – partly sunk by an injury time winner scored by Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson.

As he headed for the exit, disappointed West Brom didn’t want to keep him on to get out of The Championship again, and he probably felt his managerial career was over.

Still, this season has already proven that you’re never too old. The success of over-70s Roy Hodgson and Neil Warnock after answering SOS calls at Crystal Palace and Huddersfield has convinced the Leeds board that Allardyce still has something to offer.

With only four games left, any new manager needs to get his instructions quickly and clearly, which is something Allardyce was known for during his career at eight other Premier League clubs: Bolton, Newcastle, Blackburn, West Ham, Sunderland, Crystal Palace. , Everton and West Brom – and a short spell with England.

While away from the dugout, Big Sam has hosted the “No tippy tappy football” podcast

The team, which is threatened with relegation, is staggering above the drop zone on goal difference alone

He always found it difficult to gain popularity in the long run, but over shorter periods he was very successful in guiding Everton, Palace and Sunderland out of trouble when there seemed not much hope, even though Everton refused to keep him on. ..

However, Leeds fans are looking no further than the next four games. They have conceded an impressive 18 goals in their last five games and they need to retire, especially with their two remaining home games – when Elland Road should be a fortress – against Newcastle and Spurs.

Big Sam can expect a healthy bonus if he can keep Leeds afloat, and no one will blame him if the worst happens, as the damage has already been done in the first 34 games.

Leeds are the third club to have three managers this season, after Southampton and Chelsea. Allardyce will demand work rate, passion and loyalty from its players and staff.

Allardyce has been out of work since failing to avoid relegation as West Brom manager in 2021

The manager’s first test will take place on Saturday against in-form title favorites Manchester City

The name of his podcast ‘No tippy tappy’ hints at the tactics Leeds could use under him, although Allardyce insists the long-ball image has been exaggerated by managers such as Arsene Wenger and Rafa Benitez.

“I would make a bet with my head of media before press conferences that the media would mention my style of football in less than a minute,” said Allardyce.

Togetherness is also a big trait of an Allardyce-run club, with longtime number 2 Sammy Lee explaining: “We had this war room where we wouldn’t always agree on things, but as soon as we went out the door we went in . same direction.’

Leeds, whose disillusioned fan base got their wish when director of football Victor Orta was sacked on Tuesday, urgently need to head in the same direction as their next task couldn’t be more difficult – to Manchester City on Wednesday.