5 Times Sam Allardyce Has Helped EPL Clubs Escape Relegation As Leeds Eye Move

• Sam Allardyce has carved a reputation for himself as Premier League's relegation specialist
• The Englishman has saved clubs from the jaws of relegation on five occasions during his career
• Allardyce is believed to be on the verge of taking charge at Leeds United after the sacking of Javi Garcia

Leeds United are reportedly closing in on a deal to hire Sam Allardyce as their next manager.

The Whites announced the sacking of Javi Garcia on Tuesday, May 2, with the tactician's dismissal coming barely a month since he secured the job.

According to Sky Sports, Garcia had endured a frustrating run of results, losing four of their last five games in a run which has seen them 15 goals in just three matches.

Garcia's last game in charge ended in a 4-1 defeat against Bournemouth, with the result dealing the West Yorkshire club a massive blow in their bid to survive relegation.

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Their defeat against the Cherries over the weekend left them sitting only outside the relegation places on goal difference ahead of their trip to Man City on Saturday.

Allardyce relegation record

Allardyce is understood to be in the frame to take charge at Elland Road for the remainder of the season.

According to BBC, the 68-year-old has been out of work since the end of the 2020-21 season when his West Brom side were relegated from the Premier League.

Incredibly, this was the first time Big Sam had led a Premier League side to relegation.

The Englishman has built a reputation for himself as the relegation specialist, having managed to save six Premier League clubs from the brink of relegation.

Sports Brief takes a look at the five times Allardyce has secured top-flight status for clubs:

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1. 2001/02 - Bolton Wanderers

Sam Allardyce's first assignment to save a club from relegation was in 2001/02.

At the time, the legendary tactician was handed the Bolton Wanderers job barely a year after he had helped them secure promotion to the EPL.

Before his appointment, Bolton had gone 12 games without a win, leaving them in danger of getting relegated after just a season.

However, big wins over West Ham, Charlton and Aston Villa under the tutelage of Allardyce helped calm nerves before a huge 4-1 victory over Ipswich sealed their safety.

2. 2008/09 - Blackburn Rovers

In December 2008, Blackburn Rovers named Allardyce Paul Ince's successor.

The Englishman got the job after Ince led Blackburn to a poor run of results that had seen them drop to 19th.

Allardyce guided The Riversiders to a six-game unbeaten run to secure their Premier League status.

3. 2015/16 - Sunderland

In December 2015, Sunderland looked set to get relegated from the Premier League after a disastrous run of form and results.

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The Black Cats made a bold move to recruit Allardyce to salvage them from the drop.

The move came after the tactician's impressive run with West Ham United, who he had helped secure promotion to the Premier League.

An incredible end to the season with a stunning win over Chelsea and draws against Arsenal, Stoke, and Watford saw Sunderland protect their top-flight status.

4. 2016/17 - Crystal Palace

Big Sam landed the Selhurst Park job barely three months after he had left the England job.

While Palace were not really in bad shape at the time, the club had made a decision to get rid of Alan Pardew.

The London side went on to drop to 19th under Allardyce before the tactician fixed up things to help Palace avoid relegation on the last day of the season.

5. 2017/18 - Everton

After his assignment at Selhurst Park, Allardyce was named Everton boss.

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His return to management in November 2017 was rather shocking as the tactician had retired from management.

Under his tutelage, the Toffees went on a six-game unbeaten streak and ended up finishing eighth in the standings.

Two EPL managers sacked on the same day

Earlier, Sports Brief approximately half of the 20 managers that began the 2022–23 Premier League season have been shown the exit door in what has been an absolutely ruthless season for managers.

A staggering 12 managers have been fired this season, with 10 of them starting the year as the head coach.

According to GOAL, a new record has been set for the most sackings in a Premier League season following Graham Potter's sack at Chelsea.