Could Sam Allardyce, the anti-Bielsa, cross philosophical chasm at Leeds?

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 that Pep Guardiola was not exaggerating that much when he dubbed Allardyce “a genius”.

Admittedly Big Sam remains an acquired taste but even the arch purist Guardiola appreciates Allardyce’s role as a pioneer of elite football’s now routine use of data analysis, sports science and psychology.

Given the emergency nature of Allardyce’s anticipated four‑game appointment by Leeds, the application of psychology will prove most relevant when he and Guardiola are reunited at Manchester City on Saturday. “Sam’s man-management is second to none,” says his close friend and former Bolton sidekick Phil Brown. “He gets the very best out of players.”

The trip to the Etihad Stadium represents the first of a formidable-looking quartet of fixtures also involving a home date with Newcastle, a visit to West Ham and a final-day game against Tottenham at Elland Road. Staying up will surely involve Allardyce persuading Junior Firpo and co to leap through metaphorical hoops of flame.

Further spice is added by his status as a former manager of Newcastle and West Ham, coincidentally two of the postings where