Leeds United manager Sam Allardyce cut a striking figure when he returned to the touchline after taking over at Elland Road, according to Mirror journalist John Cross.
The Whites began their four-game tenure under Allardyce in unfortunate fashion following his official appointment on Wednesday [4 May], suffering a 2-1 loss at the hands of Manchester City in his first game in charge.
Two goals from Ilkay Gundogan deepened Leeds United’s relegation fears despite Rodrigo’s late consolation, with the Whites now currently sitting level with 18th-paced Nottingham Forest only separated by goal difference.
And after evaluating Allardyce’s first game in charge at the Etihad, Cross [The Mirror, 12 May, page 56] picked up an eyebrow-raising moment after what the former Blackburn Rovers boss failed to do.
“Allardyce cut a striking figure when he returned to the touchline after taking over at Leeds United.
“Big Sam did not appear to sign the national anthem before kick-off at Manchester City, which surely would have raised more eyebrows had it been any other former England manager.
“He was, however, very animated during the game.”
Not surprising
Allardyce has been known to deliver some weird moments as a Premier League manager throughout his career in the past and what Cross has evaluated from his first game in charge is of no surprise.
The former England manager is one who certainly makes headlines but his failure to sign the national anthem against Manchester City last weekend is of no surprise, given it was his first game back for so long and he looked as if he was soaking the atmosphere after being out of the game for a period.
Any manager who’s been where he’s been and not given a taste of Premier League management in a while will have had the same reaction and Allardyce is no different.
However, his presence on the touchline was striking, like he was Pepe Guardiola’s boss or something. But that’s experience, the former England manager knows his way around a relegation battle, and that kind of presence has been missing since Bielsa.
It’s uncertain whether Allardyce can get Leeds United out of this relegation fodder, but what is true is he remains the club’s best hope of survival. Can he work his magic once more?
In other Leeds news, four players were ruled out by Sam Allardyce for Premier League clash v Newcastle.
