Leeds United’s interim coach, Sam Allardyce, has left the club by mutual agreement on Friday after failing to rescue the team from relegation to the Championship. Allardyce, who arrived at Elland Road to replace the sacked Javi Gracia, aimed to extend the club’s stay in the Premier League. However, after Leeds lost three and drew one of their games under the former England boss, their relegation was confirmed on the last day of the season.
Allardyce had suggested he would stay in charge for the next season, overseeing Leeds’ attempt to reclaim their spot in the top flight. Still, the club hierarchy opted to move on from the former Newcastle, Everton, and West Ham manager after talks on Thursday.
“Allardyce joined the Whites for the final four games of the campaign, and despite spirited performances against Manchester City and Newcastle United, the objective of staying in the Premier League was not reached,” said a statement from Leeds United. The club hopes to announce its new head coach “in the coming weeks.”
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Allardyce, who had been out of football since suffering his first top-flight relegation of his managerial career with West Bromwich Albion in 2020-21, faced criticism for comparing himself to Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola and Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp during his first press conference after taking over at Leeds.
Despite Leeds’ relegation, Allardyce still holds the Whites in high regard. “It has been an honour to manage Leeds United, a great club with an incredible fan base, who deserve to be in the Premier League,” Allardyce said. However, at this stage of my career, I am not sure taking on this challenge, which is potentially a long-term project, is something I could commit to, but I wish the club every success for the future and hope the club returns to the Premier League, where they belong.”
It remains to be seen if Allardyce will return to the game or end his long managerial career, now that Leeds is set for at least a season in the second tier. When Allardyce arrived at Elland Road, Leeds sat 17th in the table, but after a defeat at Manchester City and two loses against West Ham and Tottenham, relegation marked a dismal ending to a problematic season for the club.
