Sam Allardyce is close to formalising an agreement to make a surprise return to Premier League management and succeed Javi Gracia at relegation-threatened Leeds.
Allardyce is expected to be unveiled as manager on Wednesday when Gracia’s departure will be confirmed. A heavily incentivised deal could earn Allardyce £3m if Leeds avoid relegation. Although nothing has been finalised, the 68-year-old former England coach is pencilled in to take training at the club’s Thorp Arch ground near Wetherby on Wednesday after a changing of the guard at Elland Road which has also led to the departure of Victor Orta as director of football.
Orta had wanted to retain his fellow Spaniard Gracia – who succeeded Jesse Marsch at …