Newly appointed Leeds United boss Sam Allardyce has insisted "nobody" is ahead of him in football management, not even Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp... and the Spaniard agrees with him!
On Wednesday, the veteran coach affectionately known as "Big Sam" in England was appointed as Leeds' latest manager for their remaining four Premier League games of the season, immediately after Javi Gracia was relieved of his duties.
Read: OFFICIAL: PSG release statement after Messi/Neymar protests
The 68-year-old, who has a reputation of helping sides steer clear of relegation, has been appointed for that exact reason with the Whites currently 17th on the league table, level on points with 16th-positioned Leicester City and 18th-placed Nottingham Forest.
With fixtures against Manchester City, Newcastle United, West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur to come, Allardyce has backed himself to fulfil the "biggest challenge" of his career following a two-year absence from the game, with his previous managerial stint having been with West Bromwich Albion in 2021.
The former England head coach has also hit out at critics, insisting he is as good as Guardiola, Klopp and Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.
"Far too many people think I am old and antiquated, which is so far from the truth," he said, according to the Daily Mail.
"I might be 68 and look old, but there's nobody ahead of me in football terms. Not Pep, not Klopp, not Arteta. It's all there with me.
"They do what they do, I do what I do. But in terms of knowledge and depth of knowledge, I'm up there with them.
"I'm not saying I'm better than them, but certainly as good as they are."
Speaking after the Citizens' 3-0 victory over West Ham United on Wednesday night, Guardiola seemingly agreed with Allardyce's comments.
"He is right. Look at Neil Warnock at Huddersfield, these incredible managers," the Spaniard said.
"It looks like the young managers know the tactics and whatever, but they are really good. They help us be who we are.
"We created football? No. It was already created."
Read: Top African players agent: FIFA is too strict!
Should the Englishman succeed in keeping Leeds in the Premier League, it is reported he will pocket a bonus of more than £2.5 million (R57 million) on top of his basic salary of £500 000 (R11.4 million) for the four matches, according to The Times.
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.