Sam Allardyce Confident He Could Win Treble As Man City Manager
Sam Allardyce says he could “absolutely” win the treble if he was in Pep Guardiola’s position at Manchester City.
The 68-year-old is back in management after taking over at Leeds United for the final four games of the season, with his remit simply to keep the club in the Premier League.
The Whites are hovering just above the relegation zone and have been woefully out of form of late – heavy defeats to Liverpool, Crystal Palace and Bournemouth eventually costing Javi Gracia his job as manager after just 12 games in the dugout.
Allardyce caused quite the stir during his first press conference, comparing himself to Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp and Mikel Arteta while claiming that ‘there’s nobody ahead of me in football terms’.
Whether or not that’s true is another question, but there’s no disputing the confidence that Allardyce has in his own ability. Ironically, Leeds’ first game under the former England boss is away at Guardiola’s Manchester City on Saturday – one that many people expect to result in a comfortable home win.
Ahead of the game, Allardyce sat down with Sky Sports to discuss his return to management, where he was asked whether he could mirror Guardiola’s treble seeking achievements were he in charge of City.
“Absolutely. The players make you a really good manager and a good coach,” Allardyce confidently replied.
“Your job is to be able to communicate with those players and I think it’s – I wouldn’t say easier but – a lot more enjoyable [going for the title rather than fighting relegation].
“I’d sleep easy tonight if I had those players.”
Allardyce also admitted he doesn’t care for what other people think of him, and believes his longevity in management proves that his comments aren’t as ridiculous as they’re being made out to be.
“Whatever opinions people have after that aren’t particularly of interest to me. I’ve given people something to talk about. I’ve given the media a great headline, so I thought tactically it was pretty good.
“You don’t stay in the game as long as I have, managing over 1,000 games without having that belief,” he added. “I hadn’t planned it, but, of course, that’s me. Instinctively I can operate on a basis of there and then.”
Leeds’ remaining fixtures
The games don’t really get any easier for Allardyce after Saturday’s game with City, with high-flying Newcastle due at Elland Road next.
There’s then a crunch clash with fellow strugglers West Ham – Allardyce’s former club – to contend with at the London Stadium, before a final day meeting with Europa League-chasing Tottenham Hotspur.
