Bonuscdodebets were able to speak to former Liverpool and Newcastle winger John Barnes to get his opinion on the sacking of Javi Gracia at Leeds. Gracia has been replaced by former England, Bolton and Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce for the remaining three matches of the season.
Sacking Bielsa and then Marsch was strange
Leeds United have made some very bold decisions in the last year or so. Starting with the sacking of Marcelo Biesla after Leeds found themselves languishing in the bottom half of the league. The vacancy was taken on by American coach Jesse Marsch who managed to keep Leeds in the league for another season. However, results this season were not up to standard leading to Marsch being replaced by Gracia. Barnes claims that the sacking of both Bielsa and Marsch were strange decisions made by the Leeds board. The club will be hoping that Big Sam is the man to help salvage the Yorkshire side’s season.
“Sacking Bielsa for me was a strange decision and sacking Jesse Marsch was a strange decision.”
“They have to live by their decision.”
“They’ve got four games to go and they brought in Big Sam to save their season and they’ll hope it works out.”
No one better than Big Sam for the job
Allardyce’s last coaching role was at West Bromwich Albion for the second half of the 2020-21 season. Allarydce failed to keep the Baggies in the league and hasn’t been hired for a job since. Upon his return to management Allardyce made the bold claim that there’s nobody ahead of me in football terms – not Pep, not [Jurgen] Klopp, not [Mikel] Arteta”. Barnes believes there isn’t a better manager to take the Leeds job and get the fanbase on said for these crucial, final four games.
“They had to do something and no one will be able to have a short term impact like Big Sam.”
“There’s not a better man to shake things up, get the fans going and get the team playing with some aggression than Sam. They’ll be direct, rely on set plays and be compact defensively.”
