New Leeds manager Sam Allardyce has stated that he is ‘as good as’ Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta as he prepares to try and steer his side away from relegation.
The veteran manager will replace Javi Gracia for Leeds’ final four games of the season against Man City, West Ham United, Newcastle and Tottenham Hotspur, with the Yorkshire side still in control of their Premier League destiny.
Leeds United is sitting 17th in the Premier League table, with just a one-point cushion over 19th-placed Everton. This leaves them with little room for error over the next four games.
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Although Allardyce acknowledged the seriousness of the task, he remained adamant that he has the managerial skills to get the job done.
“I might be 68 and look old and antiquated, but nobody is ahead of me in football terms. Not Pep, not Klopp, not Arteta,” he said. “It’s all there with me. They do what they do, and I do what I do.
“In terms of knowledge, I am not saying I’m better than them, but I’m certainly as good as they are.”
The former West Ham and West Brom boss also admitted that the time left in the season gives him little time to implement his methods. Still, he vowed to give his all to protect Leeds’ legacy.
“It was a shock because this time of the season, there are many managers who had changed hands, the most in the history of the Premier League. I thought it was all over for this season,” he said.
“It was only a couple of minutes before I said yes. Because of the situation, I had to rush through the process quickly so I could be here for at least a reasonable lead into Manchester City.
“I’ve had a lot of responses from many people saying congratulations. A few said I must be mad, but I enjoy the game so much.
“To try and save this club and keep it in the Premier League is a big responsibility but one I want to take because of who Leeds are.”
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