Leeds United’s Sam Allardyce appointment branded ‘most ludicrous decision in the history of football' - Leeds Live 30/5/23

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The former West Ham United and Sunderland boss was unable to keep Leeds United in the Premier League

Former Blackburn Rovers striker Chris Sutton has slammed Leeds United's decision to appoint Sam Allardyce as manager until the end of the season. The Whites' gamble didn't pay off with them relegated to the Championship having conceded the most goals in the Premier League.

Sutton has been vocal about the sacking of Jesse Marsch throughout the tail end of the season, claiming the American deserved more time after guiding them to safety last season. The BBC pundit also believes his successor, Javi Gracia, should have been given more time claiming the Whites panicked after heavy defeats to Liverpool and Crystal Palace.

He told BBC Radio 5 Live: "I felt a bit sorry for Jesse Marsch, I really did do. He kept them up last season on the final day. They didn't really kick on, some of the transfers were really quite weird just signing lots of tricky wingers.

"They made the decision to get rid of him and I thought he should have been given longer, 11 points from 11 games. I'm not saying he did brilliantly but they panicked didn't they.

"They panicked when they lost to Crystal Palace heavily, they panicked when they lost to Liverpool heavily and I can't remember who they lost to after that. To bring Sam Allardyce in with four games to go, that's got to be the most ludicrous decision ever made in the history of football.

"I watched them at the weekend and it was so bad. Just long throw, knockdown football. I mean under Bielsa Leeds had some flair players and they were good on the eye and I know it's about getting over the line and staying in the Premier League but that was an absolutely bonkers decision to bring Allardyce in and it backfired spectacularly.

"That's one of the worst pieces of planning out there."

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