Phil Hay has written on The Athletic’s website that Sam Allardyce has become the “leading contender” to take over at Leeds United and replace Javi Gracia for the last four Premier League games of the season, with relegation likely.
Leeds remain outside of the relegation zone but after four defeats in the last five, Gracia’s position in the dugout looks as good as over. In that time, Leeds have conceded a whopping 18 goals – four at Bournemouth on Sunday.
The game at Bournemouth was supposedly must win, given the tough nature of the remaining four fixtures. Leeds next face champions Manchester City. Then, high-flying Newcastle, West Ham away, and then Tottenham at home.
Gracia looks set to be sacked. His brief, the reason he was brought in, was to stem the flow of goals at Elland Road. But it has got worse under the Spaniard. He is now likely to go and Hay says Allardyce is in the frame to take over.
Hay: Allardyce has become leading contender to take over at Leeds
The ex-England boss is one of three names to be touted on Sunday afternoon and evening. Ex-Leeds player Lee Bowyer is in contention, as is Alan Pardew. But Hay describes Allardyce as the ‘leading contender’ to come in.
Indeed, there is a connection at Leeds between Allardyce and Angus Kinnear, the club’s CEO. The two worked side by side during the latter’s time at West Ham. Allardyce is renowned for his ability to keep teams in the top flight.
But with four games left, and Manchester City next, Leeds are staring relegation in the face – sitting outside of the bottom three on goal difference, above Nottingham Forest. It might be that Allardyce is in the dugout on May 6th.
