Leeds confirm Sam Allardyce as manager after sacking Javi Gracia

Sam Allardyce has been confirmed as the Leeds manager for the remaining four games of the season, replacing Javi Gracia, who has been sacked after less than three months. A heavily incentivised deal could earn the 68-year-old £3m if he guides the team clear of relegation.

Allardyce – who previously worked with the Leeds chief executive, Angus Kinnear, at West Ham – arrives with the club out of the relegation zone on goal difference and facing tough fixtures comprising trips to Manchester City and West Ham and home matches against Newcastle and Tottenham.

Leeds have taken one point from their past five games, conceding 18 goals, and have sacked Gracia after 12 matches. Allardyce previously rescued Sunderland and Crystal Palace from potential relegations but has not managed a club since his departure from West Brom in 2021 after the club dropped into the Championship. His first fixture is at City on Saturday.

On Tuesday Leeds announced the departure of Victor Orta as director of football and they have confirmed Allardyce’s backroom staff will include the former MK Dons manager Karl Robinson. Allardyce’s regular assistant Sammy Lee is on jury service.

Leeds said in a statement: “Allardyce has managed over 500 Premier League games in a managerial career stretching 29 years and he brings a wealth of knowledge in fighting for survival, having guided a number of his previous clubs to safety.”

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