Sam Allardyce has made his return to the Premier League and it has not take him long to return to top form in front of the media.
If there is one thing we know about 'Big Sam', it's that he is not one to show away from hyping his own abilities. After all, this is the man who once said he would be managing one of the world's biggest clubs if his name was 'Allardici'.
The 68-year old held his first press conference after making his surprise move to Leeds United earlier today, once again making some questionable claims on his managerial nous. On this occasion, he said that there was no other manager in the Premier League that is more knowledgable than him.
"Not Pep, not Klopp, not Arteta..." ❌
Sam Allardyce says there is no manager ahead of him in terms of football knowledge and experience.pic.twitter.com/hQoGJ4u20H— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 3, 2023
I might be 68 and look old and antiquated 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 and I do what I do.
In terms of knowledge, I am not saying I'm better than them but I'm certainly as good as they are.
These comments have received the reaction that you would expect, although some are actually backing them.
Richard Keys & Andy Gray back Sam Allardyce comments
If there is someone who loves a 'proper football man', it is Richard Keys. He has continually sung the virtues of hiring such as characters as managers, meaning he had the reaction you would expect to Sam Allardyce rocking up at Leeds.
Big Sam is back! There’s a theme here. The return of the dinosaurs. 🦕. Hodgson Warnock Allardyce. You can’t buy experience. Welcome back big man. What an incentive for him - keep Leeds up and relegate Everton.
— Richard Keys (@richardajkeys) May 2, 2023
He also appreciated his comments from earlier today.
Appearing on beIN SPORTS, both himself and Andy Gray said it was difficult to argue with the comments that Allardyce had made.
👀 "I might be 68 and look old, but there's nobody ahead of me in football terms - not Pep, Klopp, Arteta - I'm certainly as good as they are."
🤔 What did you make of Big Sam's comments...? @richardajkeys & Andy Gray react.#beINPL #LUFC pic.twitter.com/Foft8hIiwA— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) May 3, 2023
Gray: He's back, isn't he?
Keys: Well, it's hard to argue with the things he said, isn't it?
Gray: I agree with that the knowledge he possesses as a coach is right up there, it has to be. He was so innovative when he was at Bolton. People forget that, that Sam was an innovator. He wasn't just someone that coached, did this, and put his team out, played 4-4-2 and that's all we do. He wasn't.
Sounds about right.
It will be interesting to see if Sam Allardyce can keep Leeds United in the Premier League in the coming weeks. If he does so, you can be sure he won't be shy in telling you what an achievement it is.
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