Sam Allardyce admits claiming he was ‘as good’ as Pep Guardiola was a tactic to take the pressure off his Leeds players… and reveals he learned the art from ‘the master’ Sir Alex Ferguson
- Allardyce insisted he is ‘as good’ as Guardiola when he took over at Leeds
- He has now admitted that the comment was intended to divert attention from his side
- Leeds have just two games left to save their Premier League status
Sam Allardyce has admitted his comment comparing himself to Pep Guardiola was made to divert attention from his team at Leeds.
Allardyce took over Leeds two games ago in an attempt to save them from Premier League relegation, and was given four games to try and save their skins following the sacking of Javi Gracia.
Since then, Allardyce’s side have taken one point from their two games under the 68-year-old – losing to Manchester City before drawing with Newcastle – and will play West Ham and Tottenham in their last two matches.
When Allardyce was appointed he insisted he was ‘as good’ as Pep Guardiola in the dugout, raising eyebrows at the comparison to a manager on the verge of winning a historic treble with Manchester City.
Speak against The timesHowever, Allardyce explained his reasoning for the comment, revealing that he learned the art from “the master.”
Sam Allardyce has admitted his comment to compare himself to Pep Guardiola was a distraction
Allardyce has two games left to save Leeds from relegation from the Premier League
Guardiola (right) himself said Allardyce was ‘right’ before City played Leeds two weeks ago
“It’s about taking the pressure off the players and putting all the focus on yourself,” he said. “The master taught me that… Fergie [Sir Alex Ferguson].
“He said you create a distraction and commotion. Say something to the press to divert attention from players who are criticized all the time. I went in there with the intention of saying so. And hey, I never said I was better than them.’
Guardiola agreed with Allardyce’s media comments and launched a defense from the veteran campaigner ahead of City’s game against Leeds two weeks ago.
Allardyce said he learned the clever tactics from ‘the master’ Sir Alex Ferguson (right)
Allardyce had said, ‘Far too many people think I’m old and obsolete, which is so far from the truth. I may be 68 and look old, but there is no one ahead of me in football terms. Not Pep, not Klopp, not Arteta. It’s all there with me.
They do what they do, I do what I do. But in terms of knowledge and depth of knowledge, I’m with them. I’m not saying I’m better than them, but certainly as good as them.’
Guardiola replied: ‘He’s right. I want to be honest. Now look what happened to Neil Warnock in Huddersfield, for example.
“Now there’s a tendency for these incredible managers, they’ve done this Premier League or this league in a better position.”