Sam Allardyce admits he is unsure what his own future holds beyond the end of the season. The interim Leeds United boss insists his only focus is on keeping the club in the Premier League, and has stressed his confidence that they will find a way to 'succeed'.
The survival specialist was tasked with guiding the Whites to safety with just four matches remaining following the dismissal of Javi Gracia. A narrow defeat at Manchester City was followed by a hard-fought home draw with Newcastle United, although the hosts were left to rue two defensive errors and their own missed penalty.
Leeds face West Ham on Sunday afternoon, and will know the results of their immediate relegation rivals Everton and Nottingham Forest from the previous day. The Whites could find themselves in the position that a defeat in the capital could condemn them to relegation with a match to spare.
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Allardyce's appointment at Elland Road came after almost two years out of the game following his last stint in the dugout at West Brom. When asked about his next step beyond the final day of the Premier League season, the 68-year-old told the Times: “It depends on where we finish up. And then there’s obviously the talk of a possible takeover [by the investment arm of the San Francisco 49ers].
“All I can say is I’m thoroughly enjoying it. The training ground is fantastic and I love being out there again. It didn’t help facing Manchester City in one of the four games. It didn’t help giving away two penalties to Newcastle.
"But somebody had to come in and hopefully we’ll find a way of helping Leeds stay in the division, because it took so long to get back here. I think we’ve got what it takes to succeed.”
The odds remain against Leeds from clawing themselves to safety with two matches remaining, with the trip to the London Stadium followed by a final-day encounter on home soil against Tottenham. Allardyce insists the offer from United would always have been 'attractive', but admits he would have preferred the SOS call came sooner.
Allardyce added: “I obviously wish I had more time. But it was Leeds United who were calling me.
"A great club, historically. Great fans. It would have always been attractive, whatever the circumstances.”
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