Sam Allardyce has revealed that it took him "two seconds" to say yes to Leeds United after he was confirmed as interim manager for the rest of the season.
Javi Gracia has departed the club after just a 12-game spell that saw the Whites concede a staggering 23 goals in April alone. Allardyce has replaced the Spaniard with just four games left this term to try and keep Leeds in the Premier League for the 2023/24 season.
The 68-year-old has now opened up on the size of the challenge facing him and how he hopes to turn things around in such a short space of time.
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He told talkSPORT: “I’m here overlooking the training ground and the fabulous facilities here at Leeds and I’m excited to be involved. A tingle runs through your veins when you take over at a football club.
"I know it’s in a lot of trouble, I’ve seen a lot of trouble before. I could’ve done with more time, but we’ve got four games and hopefully we can make a difference and keep this fabulous club in the Premier League."
“Shocked," he added when asked how he felt after receiving the call to be offered the job. "I never thought at this stage of the season. I thought there would be no jobs. The phone popped up with a name that I knew pretty well, I knew what it was, and it took me two seconds to say yes.”
Allardyce also confirmed that former Oxford United boss Karl Robinson will be joining his backroom staff, with Robbie Keane also reportedly set to follow him to Elland Road.
When asked about the task he faces to keep Leeds in the Premier League, he said: “They are obviously very difficult games. We can all point out where the easiest fixture might be, but of course, there are no easy fixtures in the Premier League.
“We can only do what we can try and achieve, from my point of view, that is stopping the goals from going in. We’ve conceded 28 goals in the last 10 or 12 games and that has to stop if we’re going to get out of trouble. We’re needing to score two or three goals every game to win.
“If we’re left to do that, that will be nearly almost an impossible task. I’m doing all I can with the staff to try and get the players out of trouble.”
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