Sam Allardyce boldly claimed that he is “as good as” Mikel Arteta, Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola when he was unveiled as Leeds United’s new head coach.
Leeds have opted to turn to ex-England boss Allardyce (68) in a last-ditch bid to avoid relegation down to the Championship status after parting company Javi Gracia with just four games remaining.
Allardyce was relegated from the Premier League for the first time in his 30-year managerial career in his most recent job at West Brom two years ago. He said: “Far too many people think that I am old and antiquated, which is far from the truth.
“I might be 68 and old, but there’s nobody ahead of me in football terms. Not Pep, not Klopp, not Arteta.
“It’s all there with me. They do what they do, I do what I do. In terms of knowledge and depth of knowledge, I’m up there with them. I’m not saying I’m better than them, but certainly as good as they are.”
Former Bolton, Newcastle, West Ham and Everton boss Allardyce takes charge of his first game for Leeds at Guardiola’s title-chasing Manchester City on Saturday.
Having already removed director of football Victor Orta, Leeds announced the departure of Gracia on Wednesday morning along with his backroom staff.
Allardyce said: “I’ve had a lot of responses from many people that I know sending their congratulations. A few others said I must be mad.
“But I enjoy the game so much and to try and save this club and keep it in the Premier League is a big responsibility and a big challenge. But it’s one I’m prepared to take because of who Leeds are.”
Allardyce is the club’s third permanent manager of the season, with Gracia having replaced Jesse Marsch in February.
The former England boss is hoping for an immediate response from a demoralised squad who are languishing in 17th place, out of the relegation zone only on goal difference.
Sam Allardyce must find a way to keep Leeds up with only four matches remaining.
“It’s probably only the biggest challenge (of my career) because of the shortness of games that are left,” he said.
Allardyce is reported to have agreed a basic salary of £500,000 for his four games in charge, with a £2.5million bonus if he can keep Leeds up.
When asked if there was a chance he would stay at Elland Road beyond the remainder of this season, he said: “Never say never.
“It depends what happens at the end of the four matches and what the conversation is all about, how I feel and more importantly how…
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