Former Leeds United assistant Karl Robinson has revealed Pep Guardiola had a laugh with Sam Allardyce after the ex-England boss claimed to be as good as both the Manchester City boss and Jurgen Klopp. Allardyce made the bold declaration after being unveiled as the Whites interim boss in May, ahead of a daunting first assignment at the Etihad.
The 68-year-old insisted there was nobody ahead of him in football terms when it came to his knowledge and depth of knowledge, even namechecking Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta. Allardyce's statement caused a media stir, with several commentators and pundits left questioning the claim.
Now, Robinson has confirmed it was a 'genius' ploy to deflect attention from the players ahead of their final four fixtures. The former Milton Keynes Dons and Oxford United boss was left surprised by how some within the game reacted to the attempt to move the discussion away from a squad low on confidence following a dismal run of form.
Robinson told talkSPORT: "It was brilliant, it was a genius at work! We were having lunch and he goes 'I've got the press this aft' and he went 'I need to take the pressure off the players'. You could see it when you walked in, it was so low and down, and you're playing Man City who are the best team in the world.
READ MORE: Leeds United's behind-the-scenes work, forthcoming investment and takeover mechanics
"Haaland, De Bruyne, Gundogan, you're thinking uh oh, and he needed something. I said what are you going to do, and he went 'I'll think of something big man'. He walked out and we were in the office afterwards, and the press guy walked in and he pulled a face.
"The next thing, the gaffer closed the door and started laughing his head off. I can't exactly use the words that he used, but he told me what he said...honestly, if any fool falls for that! By the way, in a way what he does is genius.
"I know we got relegated but if you spoke to any Leeds United player, they would have everything positive to say about his team talks, his attention to detail, and the way he coaches. So he is very, very good."
City would go on to record a comfortable 2-1 victory despite a late Rodrigo consolation strike. Guardiola was quizzed about the comparison in his own pre-match press conference, and Robinson reveals how the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss reacted on the day itself.
Robinson added: "I remember when we got to City on the day, and obviously Pep came up to him and started laughing and shook his hand. He knew what he meant by it."
