What Sam Allardyce infamously said about Georginio Rutter at Leeds United - He wasn't proved right | OneFootball

Sam Allardyce dismissed Georginio Rutter at Leeds. Two years later, the Frenchman proved him wrong with a Premier League revival.

When Sam Allardyce was drafted into Leeds United during the dying embers of the 2022/23 Premier League campaign, there was no time for sentiment or developmental projects.

With four matches to save the club from relegation, Leeds United's club-record signing, Georginio Rutter, saw just 23 minutes of playing time under the survival expert.

Speaking to the Under the Cosh Podcast, Allardyce said that Rutter, who had joined just four months prior in January, "Wasn't good enough. I just couldn't believe they paid that much money for him."

It was a stinging assessment of a player adapting to English football following a big-money move from Bundesliga side TSG Hoffenheim. However, two years on, the verdict from Allardyce has been emphatically disproven.

Georginio Rutter's time under Sam Allardyce at Leeds United

Allardyce took over at Leeds in May 2023 with four matches of the Premier League season remaining. After a poor run under former Watford manager Javi Gracia, the club chose to lean on the experience of Allardyce in a bid for survival.

However, the short reign yielded just one point in the club's final four matches, with Leeds facing subsequent relegation.

During this period, Rutter was almost entirely excluded, with the then-21-year-old picking up just 23 minutes of playing time in a 4-1 defeat against Tottenham as Leeds were sent back down to the Championship.

The Frenchman, deemed surplus to requirements by Allardyce, stayed as the club aimed to bounce back immediately.

Georgionio Rutter's Championship revival under Daniel Farke at Leeds United

Daniel Farke's arrival in the summer of 2023 sparked a summer of change for Leeds.

Robin Koch, Rodrigo, Luis Sinisterra and Jack Harrison, alongside other names synonymous with Leeds' Premier League stint between 2020 and 2023, all left Elland Road while the club received a fee in excess of £20 million from Bournemouth for midfielder Tyler Adams.

Rutter arrived from Hoffenheim in January 2023, making the move from Sinsheim with bags of potential that had been untapped so far during his time at Leeds. However, repaying the faith of manager Daniel Farke, he had his breakout season in the Championship.

Across 45 league matches, Rutter registered 6 goals and 15 assists, adding another goal in the play-off semi-final demolition of Norwich. He became the creative hub of a free-flowing Leeds side, finally justifying the transfer fee that had drawn so much scrutiny.

"I am very happy because they are amazing fans. I am happy, and it's not only me. They sing for everybody, so I'm happy," said Rutter as reported by the Yorkshire Post.

Farke also praised the Frenchman's resilience and growth when speaking to the Yorkshire Post: "He's had a difficult start to life here and there was some criticism. It's important how you react. Our supporters have a really fine feeling for if a player works his socks off. If a player is willing to improve, our supporters are also willing to give his reward. Georgie can be a role model for how to win the supporters back."

Rutter's eventual Premier League transition

Despite Leeds' efforts, they fell short in the play-off final against Southampton, prompting Rutter's move to Brighton & Hove Albion in August 2023 after the club activated his £40 million release clause.

In his farewell message posted on his official Instagram, Rutter outlined his deep connection to Leeds:

"It's hard for me to say goodbye, but the time has come for me to move on. When I joined Leeds, I knew I was becoming part of something special, but I didn't realise how much this club would mean to me. Leeds United has been more than just a team for me - it's been like a family that has supported and helped me grow."

Rutter adapted quickly to life under new Brighton boss Fabian Hürzeler, scoring five and providing three assists in 28 Premier League appearances. Though Brighton have endured an inconsistent season, Rutter has been a bright spot, until he twisted his ankle in the FA Cup quarter-final loss to Nottingham Forest at the end of March.

From being written off by Sam Allardyce to becoming a key figure in both the Championship and Premier League, Georginio Rutter's journey has been one of resilience and reinvention.

What once looked like a failed transfer has turned into a testament to patience and perseverance.