Robbie Fowler has suggested that he would not be entirely surprised if Sam Allardyce remained at Leeds United beyond this season, insisting that he is what the club need whether they stay up or not.
Fowler was speaking to the Sunday Mirror (28/5; page 71) ahead of the final day of the Premier League season, in which Leeds need a minor miracle to avoid relegation.
It has been a miserable campaign. Leeds have thrown so many opportunities to boost their hopes of survival away. And now they need Sam Allardyce to oversee his first victory at the helm to stand any chance whatsoever of staying in the league.
Fowler backs Allardyce to stay on as Leeds manager
Of course, even if survival is secured, the hard work is only just beginning for Leeds. The Whites have no director of football and no permanent manager. There is also a question mark over the ownership situation.
Leeds are a club without a direction right now. And with that, Robbie Fowler believes that keeping Allardyce would not be the worst move from the Whites.
“I know that he’s on a short-term contract with the sole task of trying to keep them in the Premier League, but I wouldn’t be completely surprised if they keep him on, whether they go down or not,” he told the Sunday Mirror (28/5; page 71).
“He’s what Leeds need right now.
“They’re good lads at the club and there’s a bit of spirit there in the squad.
“He’s definitely turned the atmosphere around.”
Allardyce has done a decent job in the circumstances. Leeds showed fight in the defeat to Manchester City, and should have potentially won against Newcastle.
But the loss against West Ham appeared to knock Leeds down for the count. They still have a chance of getting out of danger. But the result reminded everyone just how desperate the situation was to give Allardyce just four games.
If Allardyce keeps Leeds up, he may be remembered as something of a cult-hero. And if we are relegated, he can barely shoulder any of the blame.
But Leeds are surely not going to end their search for a long-term direction by sticking by Allardyce.
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