Can Big Sam Allardyce save Leeds United?

Even the arch purist Pep Guardiola appreciates Allardyce’s role as a pioneer of elite football’s now routine use of data analysis, sports science, and psychology

BIG SAM: Leeds are expected to appoint Sam Allardyce on Wednesday as they bid to avoid relegation from the Premier League. File pic: Dave Howarth/PA Wire

When Nicolas Anelka played for Sam Allardyce at Bolton the France striker described the training-ground environment as surprisingly reminiscent of Clairefontaine. Although Allardyce lacks the time necessary to transform Leeds’s weekday HQ near Wetherby into a mini mirror image of the French national football school, Javi Gracia’s old squad should expect the unexpected if — as scheduled — he takes training for the first time on Wednesday.

The 68-year-old has plenty of critics but a close examination of the former England coach’s often impressive body of work at, among other clubs, Bolton, Blackburn, Sunderland, and Crystal Palace, indicates Pep Guardiola was not exaggerating that much when he dubbed Allardyce “a genius”.