Sam Allardyce in advanced talks to take over from Javi Gracia as Leeds manager

Sam Allardyce is close to a surprise return to the Premier League after entering advanced negotiations with Leeds about succeeding Javi Gracia as manager.

Providing the final stages of talks proceed as planned, the 68-year-old former England manager will be installed as the club’s third manager of a troubled season.

Allardyce has not been employed since leaving West Brom in 2021 but, albeit working within a significantly longer time frame, previously rescued Sunderland and Crystal Palace from potential relegations.

Gracia succeeded Jesse Marsch only in February but, despite a good start, has presided over four defeats in the past five games. The man who appointed him, Victor Orta, seems increasingly insecure in his post as director of football.

Gracia is due at Elland Road on Tuesday morning to say farewell to staff and players, with Leeds executives hoping Allardyce will then start working on how to repair a defence which has conceded 18 goals in five games. Leeds have collected one point from the past possible 18 and are 17th in the Premier League, level on 30 points with third-bottom Nottingham Forest.

Relegation could be ruinous for Leeds, who fear it may jeopardise their long-mooted takeover by the San Francisco-based 49ers Enterprises. After Sunday’s 4-1 defeat at Bournemouth, club executives spent much of the day and evening in meetings deciding what to do next and discussing a series of potential successors to Gracia.

Allardyce would have little time to turn things round and faces a formidable quartet of games featuring trips to Manchester City and West Ham and home matches against Newcastle and Tottenham.