Chris Sutton has labelled Andrea Radrizzani’s decision to bring Sam Allardyce to Leeds United as a ‘ridiculous gamble’.
The former Chelsea striker was speaking on the latest episode of BBC’s Monday Night Club, where he claimed it is a move that just hasn’t worked out.
Allardyce was brought in to replace Javi Gracia earlier this month tasked with the remit of keeping Leeds in the Premier League with just four matches of the season remaining.
Leeds have picked up just one point since his arrival, and now have a mountain to climb on the final day of the campaign in order to stay up.
Sutton criticises Radrizzani decision
To pull off the miracle, Leeds will need to beat Tottenham Hotspur and hope Bournemouth defeat Everton at Goodison Park, while also requiring West Ham to get something at Leicester City.
Alternatively, if Everton are able to pick up a point against Bournemouth, Leeds would need to win by at least three-goals.
Leeds’ chances are looking increasingly unlikely and Sutton believes Radrizzani hit the panic button when bringing in Allardyce.
He said: “The gamble on Allardyce was so late it was a ridiculous gamble. Four games left to bring a manager and they are now launching long throws into the box. I know they scored, but it’s decidedly odd.
“When you look at Gracia’s record and, yes, I know the wheels came off at the end, but 11 points from 11 games wasn’t a disaster. They just panicked.
“They should have brought Allardyce in earlier, they didn’t. And they have gambled massively and it looks like it’s the wrong gamble.
“But, you know what, I think they have a chance of beating Tottenham at the weekend because I think Tottenham have been pretty hopeless under Ryan Mason.”
While in some sense he is correct, Leeds had to try something. Each passing week was getting worse with Gracia and ultimately, it was under him that the Whites’ goal difference became so poor.
However, he just hasn’t been able to do enough to get the results Leeds need with defensive mistakes still occurring on a frequent basis, which is what Allardyce was expected to come in and solve.