BREAKING NEWS: Sam Allardyce agrees to a SHOCK return to football as struggling Leeds fire Javi Gracia and bring in the 68-year-old to fight against relegation… but he won’t be using Bielsa’s bucket!
Sam Allardyce has agreed a shock return to football with Leeds United.
The former England and Bolton manager will start on Wednesday with the aim of keeping the club in the Premier League.
Allardyce, who replaces Javi Gracia, will be in the dugout for Leeds’ next game, which is with Manchester City.
He replaces Javi Gracia, who left the staff this morning.
Sporting director Victor Orta also leaves the Yorkshire club.
Sam Allardyce takes charge of Leeds United on Wednesday after replacing Javi Gracia
Gracia said goodbye to Leeds staff on Tuesday and the Spaniard left after two months
Allardyce will be tasked with keeping Leeds in the top flight with just four games remaining
Allardyce has been out of work since failing to make the drop as West Brom boss in 2021.
The 68-year-old is one of the most experienced coaches in the sport, holding management and coaching positions at 13 different clubs throughout his career.
The Englishman is known for his work helping multiple clubs, including Crystal Palace, Blackburn Rovers and Sunderland, avoid relegation.
Allardyce will take charge of the Whites with just four games left of the Premier League season.
Leeds face a daunting trip to Premier League leaders Man City on Saturday before hosting the Champions League hunt for Newcastle.
The Whites finish the season with an away trip to West Ham and a home game against Tottenham.
Leeds are only outside the Premier League relegation zone on goal difference, having earned just one point from their last five games, conceding 18 goals in the process.
The run increased the pressure on Gracia, who has now been put in charge after just two months.
Supporters had confronted the Spaniard during Sunday’s 4-1 defeat at Bournemouth.
Fans passed a vote of no confidence in the club’s board and manager after the defeat.
Mail Sport understands that the locker room was not motivated under Gracia, resulting in a poor performance at Vitality Stadium against the Cherries after an initial positive start.
Mail Sport also understands that Orta wanted to keep Gracia, while owner Andrea Radrizzani did not.
Orta – who joined the club from Middlesbrough in 2017 – has since left the club.
Mail Sport first revealed uncertainty over Orta’s position at Elland Road on 10 February following the club’s difficulties in replacing the sacked Marsch.
Orta tried to appoint Andoni Iraola from Rayo Vallecano and Arne Slot from Feyenoord, but failed to lure both.
Leeds have sacked sporting director Victor Orta on a changeover day at the Premier League club
Allardyce has been out of work since failing to avoid relegation as West Brom boss in 2021
After being turned down by a number of managers, Orta eventually appointed Gracia – who has now been fired after just two months.
There has been behind-the-scenes disappointment over Gracia’s appointment, and Orta has faced difficult questions as a result.
However, uncertainty over Orta’s future has been a problem on Elland Road for some time.
The Leeds team will be at their Thorp Arch training ground on Tuesday for a recovery session before returning to action with a trip to Manchester City on Saturday.