Sam Allardyce has shared which club from Leeds United, Southampton, West Bromwich Albion and Norwich City he would like to see win the Championship play-offs.
Allardyce was the manager who was in charge when Leeds were relegated from the Premier League 12 months ago, though predecessor Jesse Marsch and those above him were considerably more to blame.
Leeds effectively now have a second chance at sealing an immediate return to the top-flight after blowing the chance to go up automatically in the final few weeks of the season.
Having sat top at the March international break, Leeds picked up just eight points from their remaining eight matches as both Leicester City and Ipswich Town pipped them to the top two.
After such a run, Leeds fans aren’t overly confident of their side’s chances despite the fact OPTA’s supercomputer has them as favourites to go all the way.
Allardyce hails Leeds as ‘great club’ amid play-off prediction
Allardyce had actually been keen on staying at Leeds longer term after his brief four-match caretaker spell, but rather unsurprisingly, that never happened.
With that in mind, Leeds could actually end up being his last ever job in football management. He has always spoken about the club positively since his time in charge.
Allardyce was speaking on the latest episode of his ‘No Tippy Tappy Football Podcast‘ alongside Blackburn Rovers star Sammie Szmodics, who has tipped Leeds to go all the way.)
And when giving his verdict, Allardyce says Leeds are the side he wants to see win promotion as he is keen to see them stabilise as a Premier League club again.
He said: “Obviously I want Leeds because I was there last season and I found it, in only a short time, a great club. Hopefully they get back there and get some stability in terms of trying to stay there this time.
“It’s been a good season for them but if they don’t quite make it, like with everything else, what happens financially? They have to cut financially again then and it becomes more difficult again then.”
49ers see Leeds as long-term project despite Allardyce worry
Though Allardyce is right in what he says about Leeds having to cut back financially if they do fail, the club is in good hands with 49ers Enterprises.
Under Andrea Radrizzani, Allardyce inherited a complete mess at Elland Road when he took over 12 months ago, but that is no longer the case. The fact he was the fourth manager that season says it all.
49ers have spoken about owning Leeds for in excess of a decade and while they have acknowledged key players would have to leave if they remain in the Championship, clearly they are here for the long haul.
It would be great if the 49ers got the chance to flex their financial muscle in the Premier League this summer, but if not, you would be far more confident in them re-building to go again than any of Leeds’ recent owners.