Leeds United told to steer away from Allardyce…

Leeds United told to steer away from Allardyce appointment after 'not enough change' in relegation

TalkSPORT pundits Simon Jordan and Martin Keown believe Leeds United should steer away from appointing Sam Allardyce as head coach next season unless his approach to management changes. The Whites interim boss was appointed on a four game basis tasked with keeping the club in the Premier League.

Just one point from those four games has seen Leeds' three-year stint in the top flight come crashing down, albeit much of the damage had been done prior to Allardyce's appointment. The former England boss is set to hold talks with the Whites' hierarchy in the coming weeks but the jury is still out on his long-term position as head coach

"I think not actually," Keown told talkSPORT when asked about appointing Allardyce in a permanent role. "I don't think I've seen enough change in those games, in those four games, albeit very difficult because you come in so last minute.

"I don't think I've seen anything that's made me think. They did okay against Newcastle but that's a home match and you expect that.

"I thought the first-half against Man City they just weren't even in the game. I know it ended up 2-1 in the match and they maybe did better in the second-half.

"I think it's one thing we may never know. He didn't stay on at West Bromwich Albion and he went in there to do a caretaker job and downed tools. There's this feeling, I can sense in his voice he wants to carry on.

"I'm not sure they're going to give him that opportunity. I do think it wouldn't be the end of the world if he stayed there. He's put two or three weeks work in there and at least he'll be giving his penny worth to the board then it'll be their call whether they keep him or not.

"I don't know whether he's got that ambition to manage in the Championship."

"This is one incarnation where he didn't have Sammy Lee alongside him because Sammy Lee wasn't available [at jury service], "said Jordan. "A few of those players should be up for certain things.

"If you had the Sam Allardyce from a few years ago then maybe. I am a huge admirer of Sam and I like him personally and I like him professionally.

"I'm not entirely sure if I liked his particular walking in the door, maybe he wanted to create an impression in the dressing room which Martin was suggesting to me a few weeks ago by letting people know he was here with the statements he made about who he is, what he is and where his credentials are.

"If you get the Sam Allardyce that managed West Ham out of the Championship ten years ago or however long ago, Everton as well, then fine. The reason I say West Ham is because Sam has an attitude about where he thinks he should be in the food chain.

"More so now. Absolutely more so now. He resists the notion that he's 'Fireman Sam', he doesn't like it and makes a point about where he should be.

"He doesn't think he should be managing in the Championship, he should be managing in the Premier League. Sam is worse than he's ever been and I think he buys into the mentality that he's 'Big Sam' and I said the other day on a show with him, would I employ someone that refers to themselves as Big Sam? I'd find that a bit of a struggle.

"You become a character of yourself. The point is, if Sam is down in the Championship with the right mindset, he'll get Leeds United back up, but it depends what Leeds want.

"If they want to get out of the division in the first bounce, which can be achieved because Burnley have just done it. Leeds will go down with £50-£60million of parachute payments in their pocket, they'll unload some of the wage bill, they'll restructure their football club and there's no reason why this powerhouse of a football club can't bounce again."

Leeds United told to steer away from Allardyce appointment after 'not enough change' in relegation

READ NEXT