Former Leeds United manager Sam Allardyce recalled his short stint on the sidelines during the 2022-23 season, during which he failed to keep The Whites in the Premier League.
Allardyce arrived at Elland Road with just four games to go with the daunting task of trying to save Leeds from relegation. It was all hands on deck for the veteran manager, but needing the points there’s one player he didn’t count on very much: Georginio Rutter.
Rutter arrived in the January 2023 window on a five-and-a-half-year contract for a club record fee of £35 million from TSG Hoffenheim. Despite the price tag, Allardyce didn’t count on the youngster to help save Leeds from relegation.
Sam Allardyce’s honest take on Georginio Rutter
During an appearance on the Under the Cosh Podcast, Allardyce shared why he shunned the Frenchman during those crucial matches as Leeds fought tooth and nail to remain in the Premier League, which they failed to do.
“He wasn’t good enough,” Allardyce said (h/t TBR Football). “I just couldn’t believe they paid that much money for him. Under those circumstances he was too young. Coming in and playing in a struggling side in the Premier League that young was a lot to ask.”
After falling into the Championship, Rutter’s talent shined under manager Daniel Farke as the 22-year-old recorded eight goals and 16 assists for Leeds last season. The Whites fell short of promotion, losing the Championship Play-Off Final to Southampton and that meant a handful of players were leaving the club.
Rutter was one of the players that Leeds sold this past summer to Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion for £40 million last month after the release clause in his contract was activated.
The forward will have another opportunity to show that he can play in England’s top-flight after Allardyce noted that it was too much for the player to handle the first time around when he was part of the relegated squad.
It will be interesting to see if Rutter and Leeds can cross paths in the Premier League next season as Farke and his team are a favorite to earn promotion this Championship campaign.
