Why Leeds United and Sam Allardyce would be a perfect match to launch a promotion campaign
Put one of the most unpopular clubs with one of the most unpopular managers, and you could quite possibly create something annoyingly successful.
By Chris Hammer
Leeds United are searching for a new boss for the 14th time since February 2012 while Sam Allardyce is once again clubless after his latest firefighting mission wasn’t anywhere near enough for Everton’s demanding supporters.
There’s a whole host of names in the betting to take the all-too often short-term job at Elland Road, with Marcelo Bielsa the favourite followed by the likes of Claudio Ranieri, Mick McCarthy, Filippo Inzaghi, Michael Laudrup, Steve Bruce and David Moyes. (Click here for the latest Sky Bet odds)
But if the soap opera that is Leeds United really want a storyline that will see them return to the Premier League for the first time since 2004, then they’ve got to try everything to lure 12/1 shot Big Sam to Elland Road.
And if they do try, Allardyce could do a lot worse in the twilight of his career than to accept.
Why do Leeds United need Sam Allardyce?
THE ONLY WAY IS UP
Say what you like about Allardyce’s tactics and methods but statistically he pretty much leaves every club in a better state than when he arrives.
And on the occasions he has got sacked, it’s nearly always down to ungrateful disgruntled fans with delusions of grandeur (sorry West Ham) or highly questionable board room decisions. Think Mike Ashley preferring Kevin Keegan at Newcastle and Venky’s going for Steve Kean at Blackburn.
When you look at what happened to both those clubs in the years after those decisions, well, it speaks volumes.
PROMOTION RECORD
Firstly, any particularly pessimistic Leeds fans can be assured that in all of Big Sam’s 26 years in management, he’s never been relegated.
But obviously the majority of Leeds supporters believe their club ‘belongs’ in the Premier League so they’ll be equally encouraged to know that his record of getting teams out of divisions in the right direction is fantastic.
From his early days with Notts County and Bolton to his first season with West Ham back in 2011-12, he knows how to create a winning mentality in promotion campaigns as well as dealing with the pressure of play-off finals.
SIEGE MENTALITY
Big Sam has never attempted to win admirers. Good job too, because he’d have failed miserably.
Instead he thrives on proving critics wrong and making life uncomfortable for the glamour clubs in an effort to fulfil his sole purpose – results.
So surely a 'hated' club like Leeds should relish having some kind of anti-hero at the helm?
STYLE OF FOOTBALL
In an ideal world, we’d all love to win by playing beautiful football.
Big Sam, however, doesn’t seem to have this same desire although to be fair he’s rarely had a squad packed full of glittering talent to do just that.
It hasn’t prevented him achieving the targets set by his employers – and often exceeding them against the odds – even though he still manages to rub some of his own supporters up the wrong way.
Sunderland and Crystal Palace could have few complaints given the state they were in when he was appointed but he did miss a trick at Everton by setting his stall out ‘just’ steer the club away from relegation with what was a squad that had been bolstered by £200m of recruits.
That particular partnership was always going to end sourly given the Toffees, like West Ham, aspire to trophies and playing good football despite not really having a history of either since goodness knows when.
For now, Leeds just need to be bothered about getting out of the Championship.
They can then start to complain about his style of football when they are ‘only’ upper mid-table in the Premier League.
Why Sam Allardyce needs Leeds United?
OUT OF WORK
Big Sam financially doesn't 'need' another job a year after indicating he was going to retire, but he won't want his managerial career to end on his perceived failing at Everton.
He can probably make a pretty lumpy bet on a struggling top-flight club giving him a call this winter when they face a relegation dog fight - but does he really want to go through that again?
His tenure at Everton was surely his last and only chance at a club who have a top-half reputation so why not drop down a division and have a crack at a promotion campaign again?
Achieving this success at such a well-supported club like Leeds, who crave being back in the Premier League, would see him hailed a hero and gain positive headlines for a change. That's got to be appealing for someone with a sizeable ego like Big Sam.
CHANCE OF SUCCESS
Leeds may have only threatened the Championship play-offs in two of the past seven seasons but they are potentially only a handful of shrewd signings away from launching a serious push.
Allardyce would back himself to attract the right kind of ageing stars, promotion-hardened journeyman and unknown pros to turn their string of mid-table finishes into something far more promising, while a loyal fanbase will also bode well if everything clicks into place.
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Odds correct as of 1203 BST 01/06/18
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