Allardyce sent ‘vicious’ warning as Gracia takes aim at Leeds

Allardyce claims he's ahead of Klopp, Guardiola and Arteta

Javi Gracia has warned Leeds United successor Sam Allardyce that the team are lacking confidence. The former Whites boss says the players have been damaged by a run of bad results which has subsequently entered their subconscious in a ‘vicious circle’.

The Spaniard had only been in charge at Elland Road for 10 weeks and 12 games, during which time Leeds recorded just two wins. Gracia received a call on the day of 53rd birthday informing him of the news.

Allardyce is now tasked with keeping them up with four games to go as they hover dangerously above the drop zone on goal difference alone. His first game in charge will be against league leaders and defending champions Manchester City on Saturday and before he embarks on his maiden voyage, Gracia has reminded him of the challenges he faces.

“The dynamic had felt really positive and, even recently, we did start some of these games in a very positive and concentrated manner,” he told The Athletic when reflecting on his time with Leeds.

“But maybe we did not have that bit of fortune for a ball to drop our way or a decision to go our way. In the last game against Bournemouth, we had a call where it looked like a penalty but was right on the edge of the area. I felt we had started the game well and then we conceded two goals quickly.

“I had the feeling that the players felt a little like a boxer who had been hit, who is down for a few moments and wants to get up but is not able to. It transmitted something negative that did not correspond with what I believe my players really are.

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“There is a psychological aspect. A player can enter subconsciously into a vicious circle from which they cannot escape. And we did not have that moment go our way with the fine margins. In the last minute against Leicester, Patrick had a chance just wide, and Marc Roca came close to scoring a winner.”

Allardyce has been out of a job since 2021 when he voluntarily decided to leave West Bromwich Albion. During his time with the west Midlands club, he suffered his first Premier League relegation after successfully keeping up multiple clubs during a 32-year career.

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