Leeds United have been relegated to the Championship after failing to win any of the four games given to manager Sam Allardyce to save them from relegation. Allardyce has now left the club, citing a long-term commitment as a potential challenge at this point in his career. Leeds are currently without a manager, but an announcement is expected in the coming weeks. The club has already sacked two managers this season, Jesse Marsch and Javi Gracia. Leeds’ CEO Angus Kinnear thanked Allardyce for his efforts in trying to save the club from relegation.
Leeds are back in the Championship and managerless after three years in the Premier League; Allardyce was given four games to keep Leeds up but failed to win any of them; Allardyce says he is not staying because at this stage of his career he cannot commit to a long-term project
9:58, UK, Friday 02 June 2023
Sam Allardyce has left Leeds after failing to save the club from Premier League relegation.
Allardyce, who had not managed since 2021 before replacing Javi Gracia, was given four games to keep Leeds up but failed to win, losing three matches and drawing the other.
Leeds are now back in the Championship and managerless after three years in the Premier League.
But the club says an announcement on a new head coach “will be made in the coming weeks”.
Explaining his decision not to stay, Allardyce, who had signed a deal until the end of the season, said: “At this stage in my career I am not sure taking on this challenge, which is potentially a long-term project, is something I could commit to.”
Leeds had already sacked Jesse Marsch in February despite backing him with more than £140m over the past two transfer windows with the club in 17th.
Former Watford boss Gracia was then brought in on a “flexible” deal and lasted just 11 league games – three of which he won – as the club’s hierarchy acted again with Leeds above the relegation only on goal difference.
Allardyce stepped in to try and keep Leeds up but failed to turn things around in a tough run-in against Man City, Newcastle, West Ham and Tottenham.
Leeds CEO Angus Kinnear said: “We thank Sam for being brave enough to step in and do all he could to save us.”
The departure of Allardyce leaves Leeds in a precarious position, with the club needing to appoint a new manager who can help them bounce back to the Premier League.
The cost of relegation to the Championship will also be significant for Leeds, with the club likely to lose out on millions of pounds in revenue and potentially face pressure to sell some of their top players.
It remains to be seen who will take over at Leeds, but the club will be hoping to find a manager who can bring stability and success to Elland Road.
Despite the disappointment of relegation, Leeds fans will be hoping that the club can bounce back quickly and return to the top flight of English football.
