Jamie Carragher has slammed Sam Allardyce's "deluded" comments after he suggested he was on the same level as the likes of Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp.
The former England boss received the surprise call to take over at Leeds this week after they sacked Javi Gracia. Allardyce has earned himself a reputation due to the way his team's play following spells at the likes of Bolton, Blackburn and West Ham.
'Big Sam' raised eyebrows however when he said he was "just as good" as the game's elite coaches whilst "nobody" was ahead of him in football. Allardyce has never won a piece of silverware during his managerial career and Carragher hopes his comments were meant in jest, rather than with complete sincerity.
He wrote in the Telegraph : "Was Allardyce’s tongue in his cheek when he said he considered himself the equal of Pep Guardiola, Klopp and Mikel Arteta? I would like to think so. Otherwise, it’s a toss-up as to whether it is brave or crazy to make such a statement when facing Guardiola and one of the best teams to ever grace the Premier League in his first game."
The player turned pundit had no issue with Allardyce's footballing principles, which do not draw the same plaudits as those implemented by Guardiola and Klopp. Carragher though felt the Manchester City boss and his colleague were deserving of special praise.
He added: "I’m a massive believer that football is enhanced by different styles. It would be boring if every coach wanted to play like Guardiola or Klopp.
"What I object to is the suggestion that these great managers are not truly worthy of their place above their peers, as if their success is more a consequence of opportunity than talent. Guardiola and Klopp are genuine game-changers."
Leeds have massively struggled defensively and Allardyce's arrival is expected to sure up their backline. The former England boss is sure to play a more direct style of football but Carragher admits those tactics can only get you so far.
"That more direct way can still be highly effective for teams fighting relegation or in the lower leagues," he claimed. "Thus, managers like Allardyce and Neil Warnock continue to be lured out of 'retirement'. Good luck to them. They have built long and profitable careers doing what they do. That does not change the fact there are limitations to how successful you can be playing that way."
Allardyce will get his Leeds tenure underway with a daunting trip to Manchester City before they face Newcastle, West Ham and Tottenham.
