Sam Allardyce says if Leeds United are actually the team he wants to see win the Championship play-offs

Leeds now have a second chance to secure an immediate return to the top tier after missing out on automatic promotion in the final weeks of the season.

After sitting at the top of the March international break, Leeds have picked up just eight points from their remaining eight games as both Leicester City and Ipswich Town edge out the top two.

After such a run, Leeds fans are not too confident in their team’s chances, despite the fact that the OPTA supercomputer has them as favorites to go all the way.

Allardyce hails Leeds as ‘big club’ amid play-off predictions

Allardyce was actually keen to stay at Leeds longer-term after his brief four-game stint as caretaker but, unsurprisingly, that never happened.

With that in mind, Leeds could end up being his last job ever in football management. He has always spoken positively about the club since he was in charge.

Allardyce spoke on the latest episode of the No Tippy Tappy Football Podcast alongside Blackburn Rovers star Sammie Szmodics, who guided Leeds to go all the way.

And in giving his verdict, Allardyce says Leeds are the side he wants to see win promotion as he is keen to re-establish himself as a Premier League club.

He said: “Obviously I want Leeds because I was there last season and found it, in just a short time, a great club. I hope he gets back there and gets 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? Then they have to cut back financially and it becomes more difficult then.”

The 49ers see Leeds as a long-term project, despite Allardyce’s concern

While Allardyce is right about Leeds having to cut back financially if they fail, the club are 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 that he was the fourth manager that season says it all.

The 49ers have talked about owning Leeds for over a decade and while they have admitted that key players would have to leave if they stay in the Championship, they are clearly here for the long term.

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’d be a lot more confident of their rebuild to go again than any of Leeds’ recent owners.

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