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Matty Hewitt

Robbie Keane's blunt Leeds United admission as former coach breaks silence on relegation

Former Leeds United striker Robbie Keane admits Sam Allardyce's appointment at Elland Road came too late to save the Whites from relegation to the Championship. Keane was part of the backroom staff that took charge of the final four games of the season.

The ex-Republic of Ireland international, who scored 19 goals in 56 appearances as a player, says he enjoyed his return to Elland Road but would have liked the call to arrive earlier.

"My time at Leeds was very enjoyable, in terms of the experience and being back at my old club," Keane told Betway. "There are really good people there, good staff. It’s a club that’s got a great history.

Read more: Leeds United's new head coach already has their first three's-a-crowd problem awaiting them

"Unfortunately, we probably came in a little bit too late. It would have been nice if we’d have got in there earlier, I think it would have been a lot different.

"The experience was great, apart from the results, but we knew we were going to be up against it with the teams we were playing.

"It was great to work with Sam, with the experience that he has, to just learn how he is with players and with staff – he’s got a really good way about him and you can see why he’s been very successful.

"You can only learn from these managers who have got the experience he’s got, who can do what he has done over the years in these situations.

"He’d probably admit himself that we came in too late, and if the timing was a little bit earlier, I think we could have made a huge difference."

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