Sam Allardyce claims he is on a par with Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp and Mikel Arteta after returning to management at Leeds.
The vastly experienced former England boss was officially appointed as the new interim head coach at Elland Road on Wednesday, replacing Javi Gracia after the Spaniard - along with director of football Victor Orta - was relieved of his duties after less than three months in temporary charge following Sunday’s 4-1 hammering by Bournemouth.
A noted relegation fire-fighter taking charge of his ninth Premier League team, Allardyce has just four games in which to steer Leeds - losers of five of their last seven games - away from the drop, starting with a daunting trip to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday to face Guardiola’s Manchester City juggernaut.
And ‘Big Sam’ certainly isn’t lacking in confidence despite a two-year hiatus from management, insisting that none of the top-flight’s most-lauded managers can claim to be better than him.
“I might be 68 and old, but there’s nobody ahead of me in football terms. Not Pep, not Klopp, not Arteta,” Allardyce said at his introductory press conference.
“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.”
Allardyce has been joined at Leeds by former MK Dons and Oxford manager Karl Robinson, with usual assistant Sammy Lee refused permission to cancel jury duty. Former Elland Road favourite Robbie Keane is also on his backroom staff.
“It’s probably only the biggest challenge (of my career) because of the shortness of games that are left,” Allardyce said
“I’ve had a lot of responses from many people that I know sending their congratulations. A few others said I must be mad.
“But I enjoy the game so much and to try and save this club and keep it in the Premier League is a big responsibility and a big challenge. But it’s one I’m prepared to take because of who Leeds are.”
Asked if there was a chance he could stay at Leeds beyond the summer, Allardyce added: “Never say never.
“It depends what happens at the end of the four matches and what the conversation is all about, how I feel and more importantly how my wife feels.”
