Sam Allardyce hopes for celebration ‘hangover’ and says he could stay on at Leeds - The Athletic 26/5/23
By Luke Bosher
Leeds United interim manager Sam Allardyce has not ruled out
remaining at Elland Road beyond the end of this season and says he hopes to
wake up with a “hangover” on Monday.
Allardyce’s side host Tottenham Hotspur in their final
Premier League match of the season on Sunday, needing to win and for Everton to
drop points to have a chance at avoiding relegation.
Allardyce was appointed to replace Javi Gracia earlier this
month but has won only one point from his three matches in charge so far.
Asked about his future on Friday ahead of the visit of
Spurs, Allarydce said: “That’s to be decided after the end.
“It’s always been a case of we will discuss whatever we
needed to discuss at the end of the season based on where we are, based on what
I think the club needs to go forward, based on what the club thinks.
“If that’s aligned with each other, we’ll wait and see. That
discussion happens over a period of time. I just hope we’re talking in a very
positive nature on Monday morning and I have a hangover.”
Leeds go into the Tottenham game 19th in the Premier League,
level on points with Leicester City and two behind Everton.
The West Yorkshire side are waiting on the fitness of
forwards Patrick Bamford and Rodrigo, with the former substituted due to injury
during last weekend’s 3-1 defeat by West Ham United.
“Rodrigo trained today,” Allardyce added. “Patrick, we’re
going to give him as long as we can, certainly until tomorrow before we make
our final selection. In the striking area, we’re not overwhelmed with strikers.
It’ll be what it’ll be.
“I’ll gamble on anybody’s fitness if they want to play, if I
think they can make a contribution to help us win the game. It’s the last game,
they can have plenty time to recover (after Sunday). But there are obviously
medical issues, if the risk is too great. And a lot of it’s up to the player
himself.
