Sam Allardyce: 'I could challenge for the treble with Manchester City squad'

After nearly two years away from management, the 68-year-old was unveiled as the new Whites boss on Wednesday following the departure of Javi Gracia.

Allardyce is regarded as one of the most experienced British managers in the game having taken charge of 13 different teams and over 500 Premier League matches during his 29-year coaching career.

The former England boss was last in the dugout with West Bromwich Albion where he suffered his first-ever Premier League relegation in the 2020-21 campaign after winning just four of his 25 league games in charge.

Aside from his challenging spell with the Baggies, Allardyce has built a reputation as a survival specialist in the top flight having successfully led Blackburn Rovers, Sunderland, Crystal Palace and Everton to safety after arriving at each club midway through a season.

Allardyce, who led Bolton Wanderers into Europe in 2005-06 and 2007-08, has never been considered for vacancies at the top end of English football, but the Dudley-born boss made the headlines shortly after his appointment as Leeds manager after claiming in his first press conference that he is "just as good" as the likes of Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp and Mikel Arteta.

Guardiola's Man City side, who play host to Leeds at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, are currently chasing three trophies in the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup, and Allardyce believes he would have the credentials to do a similar job in charge of the Citizens.

Asked whether he could get Man City's squad challenging for the treble, Allardyce said: "Absolutely, because the players make you a really good manager a good coach and then your job is to be able to communicate with those players.

"Of course, we all have our own pressures, but to deal with the high quality players that they have is a dream come true for you as a coach.

"You don't stay in the game as long as I've stayed in the game and have over 1,000 games as a manager without having that belief."

Allardyce has won only four trophies in his 29-year managerial career, lifting the League of Ireland First Division title with Limerick in 1991-92, the Third Division title with Notts County in 1997-98, the First Division playoff final with Bolton in 2000-01, and Championship playoff final with West Ham United in 2011-12.

Speaking at a pre-match press conference on Friday, Allardyce heaped praise on the influence Guardiola has had at Man City and in English football, adding: "I think he's brilliant. He's doing a huge amount for the Premier League since he's been here.

"I think that when you see what he's achieved, and I know we can talk about their backing, which is seen at every successful football club, it's not just the coach or the players, it's the backing behind that, the recruitment behind that, and the recruitment has been spot on and his management style over the years has been fabulous.

"The sad thing is for us is they're in the best form of the season because they've won nine on the trot!"

Allardyce has also talked up the qualities of Man City goal machine Erling Braut Haaland and has given an insight into how his Leeds side will need to set up to keep the Norwegian quiet on Saturday.

Leeds currently sit 17th in the Premier League table, precariously placed just above the relegation zone on goal difference, while Man City are one point clear at the summit with a game in hand on second-placed Arsenal.