Sam Allardyce told Championship rivals to appoint former Leeds coach as manager this season

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Thankfully the Sam Allardyce era at Leeds United is very much feeling like a distant memory now.

Allardyce was brought in for the final four matches of the season almost 12 months ago, in what was a final throw of the dice by former owner Andrea Radrizzani to try and avoid relegation.

The 69-year-old was the last of four different managers at Leeds last term, in what was one of the most dismal campaigns at Elland Road seen since the days under the likes of Massimo Cellino.

Upon his arrival at Leeds, Allardyce brought with him two people to help as part of his coaching staff. One was former MK Dons and Oxford United boss Karl Robinson, while the other was ex-Whites striker Robbie Keane.

Robinson has never actually managed above League One level during his career but has enjoyed some decent spells in the third tier, and was perhaps unlucky not to have won promotion with Oxford.

However, the appointment of that coaching trio was clearly a panicked decision due to the position Leeds were in, and a return of one point from their four matches was not enough to stay up.

Allardyce says he urged Plymouth to appoint former Leeds assistant Robinson

Robinson landed his first job since leaving Leeds in May back in January earlier this year, taking over at struggling League Two side Salford City.

However, clearly Allardyce thinks far more highly of Robinson than many others do in the game, as he told the latest episode of his ‘No Tippy Tappy’ Podcast he is baffled the 43-year-old has never managed higher.

In fact, he went one further than that earlier in the season and told Plymouth Argyle to appoint him after Steven Schumacher’s departure to Stoke City.

Argyle clearly ignored that advice as they went onto hire Ian Foster, but perhaps they should’ve listened, with growing calls already for him to be sacked.

He said: “I spoke to Trevor, the director at Plymouth, and I said to him, please tell your owner to sign Karl Robinson. This man’s record and ability, he has always deserved a chance in the Championship if not higher. Trevor could only recommend him, but I don’t even think they interviewed him.”

Robinson backed Leeds for immediate return to PL after relegation

Clearly the opportunity to come to Leeds in any capacity was massive for Robinson, and it is fair to say he has spoken about the club in a good light ever since.

He predicted at the start of the season that Leeds would be strong enough to secure an immediate return to the Premier League, and as it stands, they are on course to do so.

Speaking in August, he said: “They should do, the transfer window is massive. Patrick was a catalyst in promotion, with the goals he scored. Last season he had injuries. If they get a good striker, yes. Decent defenders, Cooper is back fit now, midfield’s not bad.”