Sam Allardyce tells Leeds United coaching duo would be ideal managerial appointments

Former Leeds United boss Sam Allardyce believes Karl Robinson and Robbie Keane should be appointed his successors at Elland Road following relegation to the Championship. The duo were part of Allardyce’s coaching staff for the final four games of the season and the outgoing manager says the pair would be ideal replacements for a smooth transition.

The former Bolton, West Ham and Sunderland boss says Leeds’ players and staff need to avoid another big transition in terms of a manager and their style of play. Allardyce says players were left confused by various ideas that coaches demanded in quick succession following Jesse Marsch, Javi Gracia and his own appointment.

Allardyce told the No Toppy Tappy Football podcast: “I feel because Karl [Robinson] and Robbie [Keane] did so well, they would be ideal to take over the running of the football side.

“Karl has huge experience as a manager and I know the Leeds fans would look at Karl Robinson, but down in the lower divisions he’s learnt his trade, he’s done his time. He’s a great communicator and I know I could leave him at any single time for whatever reason and not be there and know the place would be run in the right way.

“Robbie, even though I only knew him from Soccer Aid, with him for the short period of time – brilliant around the players and gave a great vibe to everybody. They know all the staff and know all the players so they can hit the ground running and Leeds need to hit the ground running.

“Which is today. Not tomorrow, but today. If they choose to go somewhere else, which they might do, probably if I look at it realistically it’s more than likely, then good luck to them.

“But that would be another transition that I don’t think the players need. They’ve had three transitions, including me, last season.

“It causes a huge amount of different styles, different attitudes, different ways of coaching, different ways of playing and I think there’s a certain amount of confusion amongst the players on ‘well that coach wanted that, this coach wants this.’

“I think Karl and Robbie would be ideal to get in there and start the process for what needs to be done for next season. There isn’t a lot of time and Leeds really need to hit the ground running by doing all their business as quick as they possibly can.