The assistant to Sam Allardyce at Leeds told talkSPORT what prompted Big Sam’s first press conference in Elland Road.
Former England manager Javier Gracia was replaced by the former England coach in the final attempt to save the Yorkshire side from relegation.
Allardyce, in his first media conference, made some bold statements that raised eyebrows.
“People think I am old and antiquated.” Allardyce told his team’s fans that they were far from the truth before their trip to Manchester City, eventual champions.
“I am the only one in football who is ahead of Pep [Guardiola]Not [Jurgen]Klopp is not [Mikel] Arteta.
“They do what the do, and I do what I am doing.” “But in terms of depth and depth of knowledge, I’m up there with them.”
“I don’t say I am better than you, but I am just as good as you.”
Allardyce has a lot to regret, even though he compares himself with some of the top managers in world. LeedsBig Sam, however, was unable to prevent the final defeat.
Allardyce’s Assistant has now confirmed what most people suspected at the moment – namely, that Allardyce’s remarks in his press conference were intended to distract from his vulnerable side.
Karl Robinson, the first Allardyce employee to work with White and Jordan, said, “It really was brilliant. It was genius at play.”
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“We were eating lunch. I don’t know what day we played. Maybe Sunday? We were eating lunch two days earlier and he was holding a press conference. He said, “I need to relieve the players of the pressure.”
It was low and down. You could see it as soon as you entered. They were playing Man City with the best team of the world. [Erling]Haaland [Kevin] De Bruyne and [Ilkay]Gundogan, you’re thinking ‘uh-oh’.
“He needed something.” “Well, what are you planning to do?” I asked. He replied: “I’ll think something up big man.”
He smiled. “He walked out, and then we were all in the office afterward with the press man walking in,” he said. “People couldn’t have seen, but he pulled an expression and the gaffer laughed his head off.
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“I can’t use exactly the words he used but he told me ‘honestly’, if anyone fools themselves for that!”
As if Allardyce’s laughter at his own jokes wasn’t enough, Robinson revealed that Guardiola also enjoyed Big Sam’s remarks.
The former Oxford boss said: “I remember that when we arrived at City, Pep came up and began laughing. He also shook Pep’s hand.
He knew exactly what he was saying! It was genius, in a sense.”
Leeds have said goodbye to Allardyce & Robinson but still need to find a new coach as they return to Championship for the very first time since 2020.
