Sam Allardyce’s return has the Premier League talking.
The former Newcastle United manager has been appointed at Leeds as the Yorkshire giants roll the dice in one final attempt to stave off the drop.
As ever, ‘Big Sam’ has been fairly outspoken.
During his first press-conference as Leeds boss, the 68-year-old talked of how he was “as good” as the likes of Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp.
While Allardyce has certainly had a remarkable career, that feels like a stretch.
Still, it’s nothing new.
This, of course, is the man who famously said he’d get far more praise were his name “Allardici”, suggesting he does not get enough credit as he is a somewhat unfashionable British manager.
Allardyce’s relationship with Newcastle is a difficult one.
Brought in towards the back end of Freddy Shepherd era, he lasted only nine months before Mike Ashley got rid of him.
Years later, Allardyce would keep Sunderland up at Newcastle’s expense and appeared to revel in that fact.
Jamie Carragher makes claim about Allardyce and Newcastle
Pundit Jamie Carragher gave his view on Allardyce’s standing at Newcastle.
Rather than subscribe to the notion the former England manager does not get enough credit, Carragher insisted he is disliked at St James’ Park, Everton and West Ham due to his style of play.
The former Liverpool defender wrote in the Daily Telegraph: “The supporters at St James’ Park and Goodison Park did not like or want his style. That had nothing to do with an anti-British sentiment.
“You only have to see how well-received Eddie Howe has been in the north east playing a modern, progressive style to recognise that.”
Newcastle’s reunion with Allardyce is dripping with narrative
Next weekend, Newcastle head to Elland Road.
A massive meeting between two of English football’s traditional powerhouses at it is, Allardyce will have had some time to work with his new squad by then.
If he can get something out of the game, he could be the man to stop Newcastle qualifying for the Champions League as Manchester United and Liverpool continue to chase.
It does not bear thinking about…
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