Sam Allardyce appointed as Leeds United manager in last ditch bid to avoid relegation
Sam Allardyce has been appointed as Leeds United manager
PA
Sam Allardyce has been appointed as Leeds United manager as the club makes a final bid to save itself from relegation.
The club sacked Spaniard Javi Gracia to make the appointment with just four games of the season to go.
Leeds are currently sat 17th in the table, out of the bottom three only on goal difference.
Allardyce is Leeds' third manager of the season, having appointed Gracia less than three months ago.
Javi Gracia was sacked after just 12 games in charge
PA
The former Watford boss took over from Jesse Marsch on February 22.
Gracia collected 10 points from his first six games in charge, but a dreadful run of results in April left Leeds in a downward spiral.
Leeds decided another change was needed after having lost four in a winless run of five matches.
In a statement released on its website, the club said: “Leeds can confirm Javi Gracia will leave the club after 12 games in charge.
Sam Allardyce has just four games to try and keep Leeds in the Premier League
PA
“Zigor Aranalde, Mikel Antia and Juan Solla, who joined alongside Gracia, will also leave the club.
“We thank Javi and his team for their efforts under difficult circumstances.
“The remaining four games of the season will be overseen by experienced head coach Sam Allardyce.”
Allardyce will be assisted by former MK Dons, Charlton and Oxford boss Karl Robinson.
On Saturday Leeds travel to league leaders Manchester City before hosting third-placed Newcastle.
A trip to West Ham and an Elland Road encounter with European hopefuls Tottenham round out the season.
Allardyce is reported to have agreed a basic salary of £500,000 for his four games in charge, with a £2.5million bonus if he can keep Leeds up.