Sources: Leeds United reach full agreement with Sam Allardyce – he’s set for ‘huge’ bonus if he keeps them up
Sam Allardyce has agreed to be the new Leeds United manager on a deal until the end of the season, sources have told Football Insider.
This site revealed earlier on Tuesday (2 May) that Javi Gracia and his coaching staff have been relieved of their duties following a meeting at the club’s Thorp Arch training ground.
It is believed that Allardyce has reached a full agreement with Leeds and the paperwork will be completed imminently.
He is set to be in the dugout for the club’s next fixture, against Man City in the Premier League on Saturday.
Allardyce is seen as capable of performing a “firefighter” role with Leeds staring down the barrel of a potential relegation to the Championship.
The 68-year-old would be set to land a huge bonus if he kept the Whites afloat.
Leeds are outside the relegation zone by virtue of goal difference following their 4-1 loss away at Bournemouth on Sunday (30 April).
They now face four games against Man City, Newcastle, West Ham and Tottenham in the final weeks of the 2022-23 season.
Allardyce’s last job was at West Brom in the 2020-21 season as the Baggies fought against relegation from the Premier League – but he was unable to prevent the club from dropping to the Championship.
Nevertheless, the 68-year-old has earned a reputation as a “survival specialist” during his 537 games in top-flight management.
He also took charge of England for just one game before being sacked due to allegations of malpractice.
Leeds picked up just one point from a possible 15 in April, shipping 18 goals in the process – sealing Gracia’s fate.
It is believed that sporting director Victor Orta will also be relieved of his duties following a poor spending record in the transfer market this season.
Fans and pundits alike have raised questions over the reported £35.5million deal to bring striker Georgino Rutter to Elland Road with the Frenchman yet to find the net.
Allardyce’s first test in charge of the Whites will come against league leaders Man City on Saturday (6 May).
In other news, Leeds United and West Ham race to sign Ligue 1 star.