New Leeds United manager Sam Allardyce insists his football knowledge is 'up there' with the likes of Pep Guardiola as he prepares to face the Manchester City boss this weekend.
Allardyce was appointed as Leeds manager on Wednesday, with the relegation-threatened club turning to him for the final four games as they look to avoid relegation from the Premier League. Former boss Javi Gracia had seen his side lose four of the last five and concede 18 goals in the process.
A record of pulling teams away from relegation trouble - his first top-flight drop came in 2021 with West Brom - and a no-nonsense approach has seen Allardyce characterised as a fire-fighting manager with old and defensive tactics. But the former Blackburn and Bolton boss insists his managerial knowledge is up there with the best.
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“Far too many people think I’m old and antiquated which is so far from the truth,” Allardyce said in his first press conference as Leeds boss. “I may be 68 and look old but there’s nobody 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. In terms of knowledge and depth of knowledge I’m up there with them. I’m not saying I’m better than them but certainly as good as they are. I just wish sometimes you can get the opportunity that you can show it, but that’s never going to happen for me now apart from keeping Leeds up.”
First fixtures don't come much tougher than a trip to the Etihad, with Leeds facing City on Saturday. Guardiola's side have won 25 of their 28 home games across all competitions this season including all of the last 12, but Allardyce believes he can create a shock.
"I wish it was a bit less challenging but we have to face what we have to face," the former England boss added. "The first thing I did when I looked at the fixtures was I thought they could've been a bit kinder.
"We have to create a shock so hopefully we can shock a few people in the Premier League by getting the results we need to stay up. I hope we can find six points from four."
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