Sam Allardyce offered huge cash bonus to keep Leeds United in the Premier League

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    Sam Allardyce has been offered a bonus of £1million to keep Leeds in the Premier League.

    But the former England and Everton boss will be walking into a dressing room in turmoil at Elland Road. Allardyce is set to become the club's new manager after Leeds decided to sack Javi Gracia AND director of football Victor Orta.

    Gracia, 53, was only appointed two months ago but has paid the price for failing to lift Leeds clear of the relegation zone. Orta, meanwhile, has also left the club following a disagreement with chairman and owner Andrea Radrizzani over Gracia's dismissal.

    READ MORE: Leeds fans say club is 'messed up' with Lee Bowyer 'close to being named' as next manager

    Orta, who joined Leeds from Middlesbrough in 2017, wanted to keep Gracia in charge while Radrizzani and managing director Angus Kinnear were determined to make a change and appoint Allardyce.

    A board meeting was held in the wake of Sunday's 4-1 defeat at Bournemouth, and both Gracia and Orta were relieved of their duties.

    Leeds have picked up just one point from their past five games and conceded 18 goals in the process, to find themselves out of the bottom three on goal difference. Club sources claim Gracia was not dynamic enough and struggled to motivate his players ahead of games.

    Will Leeds hang on to keep their Premier League credentials for next season? Let us know in the comments section.

    Orta has been targeted by fuming fans in recent weeks, who blame him for some poor signings and managerial appointments.

    The Italian was responsible for appointing Jesse Marsch and then Gracia, while several big money signings like Brenden Aaronson (£22m) and Georginio Rutter (£35m) have failed to work out.

    Allardyce, 68, has been out of work since leaving West Brom in 2021 but is poised to make a shock return to the top flight. He has agreed a short term deal which includes a huge bonus if he can keep Leeds up.

    But it's understood the dressing room has become divided in recent weeks.

    The suggestion is there are a lack of leaders, while the younger players don't respect the senior ones because they don't believe they are good enough.

    Allardyce's first job will be to unite his squad, but he faces the toughest possible start considering his first game will be away to reigning champions and treble-chasers Manchester City.

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