Leeds United have appointed Sam Allardyce as the manager of the Premier League until the end of the season.

The appointment followed the sack of the club’s coach, Javi Gracia, after just two-and-a-half months in charge.

Allardyce, a former England manager who has been out of work since leaving West Brom in May 2021, makes a shock return to football to try and save Leeds from Premier League relegation with only four games of the season remaining.

Announcing the appointment via a statement issued on Wednesday, May 3, the club said: “Leeds United can confirm Javi Gracia will leave the club after 12 games in charge.

“Zigor Aranalde, Mikel Antia, and Juan Solla, who joined alongside Gracia, will also leave the club.

“We thank Javi and his team for their efforts under difficult circumstances.

“The remaining four games of the season will be overseen by experienced head coach Sam Allardyce.

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“Allardyce has managed over 500 Premier League games in a managerial career stretching 29 years and he brings a wealth of knowledge in fighting for survival, having guided a number of his previous clubs to safety.

“His first experience of the top-flight came with Bolton Wanderers, who he would guide into Europe for the first time in the club’s history.

“Following this, he went on to manage Newcastle United, Blackburn Rovers, and West Ham United, earning promotion to the Premier League in his first season with the Hammers.

“Over the past decade, he has successfully helped Sunderland, Crystal Palace, and Everton avoid relegation from the Premier League during short-term stints.

“Allardyce will be assisted by former MK Dons, Charlton Athletic, and Oxford United manager Karl Robinson.

“His first game in charge of the Whites will be Saturday’s Premier League away trip at Manchester City,” the statement read.

68-year-old Allardyce faces a daunting run-in that includes a visit to Manchester City, then home games against Newcastle, and Tottenham as well as a trip to West Ham.

Sam Allardyce, who previously rescued Sunderland and Crystal Palace from potential relegation, becomes the club’s fourth head coach of the season.

Gracia was appointed as Jesse Marsch’s successor in February 2023 on a “flexible contract”, but four defeats in their last five games have left Leeds above the Premier League relegation zone only on goal difference.

Sunday’s 4-1 defeat at Bournemouth ended a terrible April for Gracia and Leeds as they also lost successive home games to Crystal Palace and Liverpool 5-1 and 6-1 respectively.

They conceded 23 goals in April, a new Premier League record for goals against in a month.

The Star