Richard Keys says Leeds should hire Sam Allardyce instead of Jesse Marsch

Richard Keys has called on Leeds United to appoint Sam Allardyce as their next manager after the dismissal of Marcelo Bielsa.

Former RB Leipzig manager Jesse Marsch is the front-runner for the position, with Bielsa sacked in the aftermath of a 4-0 defeat to Tottenham which left Leeds hovering just above the relegation zone.

However, Marsch's lack of Premier League experience was identified as a concern by Keys and his beIN SPORTS colleague Andy Gray, prompting the broadcaster to urge chairman Andrea Radrizzani to move for the out-of-work Allardyce.

The former England manager has rescued Premier League teams from relegation in the past, but his last attempt - with West Bromwich Albion last season - ended in failure with the Baggies finishing 19th.

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"I would be on the phone to Sam Allardyce as we speak and say we only have one objective, Sam, and you've done it many times... just get us safe!" Keys said.

While he defended Marsch's record in Europe and said he understood Leeds' reasoning, he shared Gray's issues regarding the 48-year-old's Premier League inexperience.

"[Marsch] pretty much knows nothing about the Premier League - not worked in it and not plied his trade in it," Gray said.

"And you ask him to come into the most difficult league in world football and say, 'Rescue this team' that's [down] there at the moment confidence-wise and belief-wise.

"You ask a guy, untried at this kind of level, to do that.."

When Allardyce stepped down from his role at West Brom in May, he revealed he had turned down an offer to stay with the club and attempt to lead them back to the Premier League at the first attempt.

"If I were to stay and achieve promotion next season the expectation would be for me to continue for at least another season and, sadly, that is not a commitment I feel able to make at this stage of my career," he said.

"I believe the club now needs stability and continuity and this would, in my opinion, best be provided by a young and ambitious manager who can get us back to where we should be as an established Premier League football club."

Leeds' dismissal of Bielsa comes with the club just two points above the relegation places, and they could drop to 17th if Burnley win one of their games in hand in midweek.

"We find ourselves in a precarious league position and I feel now is the right time to bring in a new head coach, in order to have an impact in the decisive stage of the season," chairman Andrea Radrizzani said after making what he described as "the toughest decision I have had to make" in his role.

"Naturally, myself, along with everyone else at the club would like to thank Marcelo for his efforts and achievements and we wish him the very best for the future."