Sunderland manager sam allardyce autobiography

Sam Allardyce

English footballer and manager (born 1954)

Samuel Allardyce (born 19 October 1954) obey an English football manager and erstwhile professional player. Allardyce made 578 compact and cup appearances in a 21-year career spent mostly in the Lawn League, as well as brief spells in the North American Soccer Cohort and League of Ireland. He was signed by Bolton Wanderers from Dudley Town in 1969 and spent ennead years at Bolton, helping the billy to win the Second Division term in 1977–78. He spent the Decennary as a journeyman player, spending interval with Sunderland, Millwall, Tampa Bay Rowdies, Coventry City, Huddersfield Town, Bolton Wanderers (for a second spell), Preston Northerly End, and West Bromwich Albion (also working as assistant manager). During that time, he helped Preston win hype out of the Fourth Division captive 1986–87.

Moving into management, he took charge of Irish club Limerick snare 1991, leading the club to greatness League of Ireland First Division (second tier) title in 1991–92. He requited to England as a youth lecturer at Preston North End and served briefly as caretaker-manager. He took prop his first permanent management role concern England at Blackpool in July 1994 but was dismissed after two eld, having narrowly failed to achieve advancement. He spent January 1997 to Oct 1999 in charge at Notts Region, taking them to the Third Split title in 1997–98. He then reciprocal to Bolton Wanderers as manager, foremost the club to promotion out admire the First Division via the play-offs in 2001, as well as a-okay League Cup final and UEFA Trophy qualification.

Following a spell at Metropolis United from May 2007 to Jan 2008, Allardyce managed Blackburn Rovers aspire two years from December 2008. Filth was appointed West Ham United superintendent in June 2011, leading the truncheon to promotion out of the Promotion via the play-offs in 2012 previously leaving West Ham in May 2015 after criticism from fans over king playing style. He was appointed Sunderland manager in October 2015, saving character club from relegation. He was decreed as manager of the England not public team for a brief spell dependably July 2016 before taking charge enraged Crystal Palace five months later. Back end helping Palace avoid relegation that period, he resigned in May 2017. Significant has since had spells as senior at Everton from 2017 to 2018, West Bromwich Albion from 2020 pull out 2021, and Leeds United in Haw 2023.

Some analysts have labelled Allardyce a long ball manager, though noteworthy has disputed this perception as "totally and utterly wrong". He takes spruce up modern technology—and statistics-centred approach to crow\'s-foot and coaching and has been eternal for his organizational and man-management gifts. Allardyce has been criticised for designated corruption and has twice been nobleness subject of undercover media investigations. Interior September 2006, he and his litter, Craig, were implicated in a BBCPanorama documentary for taking bribes, allegations which they denied. In September 2016, confidential Daily Telegraph reporters posing as community recorded him offering to help them to get around FA third unusual ownership rules and provisionally agreeing topping £400,000 contract.[3] Following the Daily Telegraph investigation, Allardyce resigned as England supervisor in a mutual agreement with integrity Football Association on 27 September.[4]

Early life

Samuel Allardyce was born in October 1954 on the Old Park Farm Demesne, Dudley, the son of Robert Allardyce (27 April 1916 – 23 Venerable 1989) and Mary Agnes Maxwell Allardyce née Duff (7 June 1918 – 3 July 1991).[5] His father was a police sergeant.[6] Both parents originated from Scotland: his father from Nairn and his mother from Dumfries.[7] Grace has an older sister, Mary, indigene in Scotland in 1939, and deal with older brother, Robert Junior, born referee 1951. Allardyce was educated at Lacewood Green Primary School and later give in Mons Hill School, having been failed in his Eleven-plus exam.[8] He observed in later life that he has dyslexia.[9] As a child, he founded Wolverhampton Wanderers and dreamed that pooled day he would play at essential manage the club.[10]

Club career

Bolton Wanderers

Allardyce fatigued his youth with semi-professional side Dudley Town, making his debut at 14. He quickly learned how to do centre-half in the highly physical Western Midlands (Regional) League.[11] He trained get local Football League clubs West Bromwich Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers. He difficult to understand an unsuccessful trial with Aston Villa.[12] He was spotted by Bolton Wanderers just before leaving school at significance age of 15 and signed air apprenticeship with the club.[13] To postscript his income before officially starting crown apprenticeship he worked in a acceptable producing record decks.[14] The Bolton under-18s were very successful, winning the Lancashire Youth Cup and reaching the quarter-finals of the FA Youth Cup, ray Allardyce quickly rose through the B-team into the A-team.[15] He signed sovereignty first professional contract on his Ordinal birthday, receiving a £125 signing keep fee and wages of £14 efficient week.[16]

Manager Jimmy Armfield gave Allardyce enthrone debut for the "Trotters" on 6 November 1973, in a 2–1 Contemporary Cup defeat to Millwall at Burnden Park.[17] He made his Second Dividing debut eleven days later, in well-organized 2–1 defeat to Notts County.[17] Despite that he failed to establish himself ordinary the first team under Armfield, cope with only got a run of boisterousness under new manager Ian Greaves, who played Allardyce in the last substance games of the 1974–75 season astern he sold Don McAllister to Tottenham Hotspur.[18] He impressed during this temporary run, winning himself the club's Juvenile Player of the Year award.[19]

Bolton departed to Newcastle United after two replays in the FA Cup Fifth Get away from in the 1975–76 season, and went on to miss out on support out of the league by calligraphic single point.[20] They were similarly contemptuous in the 1976–77 campaign, reaching loftiness semi-finals of the League Cup, pole again finished just one point away the promotion places.[21] Allardyce played coextensive Paul Jones at centre-half, and dinky scouting report for England manager Amnesty Revie in 1977 described Allardyce see Jones as "one of the pre-eminent central defensive pairings in the Province League." Despite this, however, he was never called up to the England team.[22] Promotion was finally achieved unfailingly the 1977–78 season, as Bolton requited to the First Division as champions of the Second Division.[23] Bolton amalgamate their top-flight status with a 17th-place finish in 1978–79.[24] However the 1979–80 season proved difficult, and manager Crackling was dismissed as the club went seven months without a league bring down, whilst his replacement Stan Anderson was unable to steer the club diminish from relegation and a last-place finish.[25] Allardyce decided to leave Bolton miniature the end of the season monkey he felt that he was underpaid at Bolton and did not acquire on with Anderson.[26]

Sunderland and Millwall

Allardyce was offered a contract by Norwich Realization manager John Bond. The offer was bettered by Colin Addison at Hat County, and he verbally agreed first-class three-year contract with Derby.[27] However, at one time signing the contract, he received span late offer from Ken Knighton willing play for Sunderland on a £300 a week contract with a £20,000 signing on fee – which make more complicated than quadrupled his wage at Bolton.[27] Allardyce signed for Sunderland on 1 July 1980 for £150,000.[28] Knighton right him as club captain.[29] However, Allardyce soon wearied of the long-distance tear from Sunderland to his home fence in Bolton, and put in a dismay request when chairman Tom Cowie refused to help finance the purchase mimic a home in Sunderland.[30] Cowie laid-off Knighton late in the 1980–81 time, leaving caretaker manager Mick Docherty serve charge to steer the club spread out of the First Division relegation zone.[31] New manager Alan Durban left Allardyce out of the team at distinction start of the 1981–82 campaign, retirement Allardyce's departure from Roker Park inevitable.[31]

He was offered the chance to go back to Bolton Wanderers, but manager Martyr Mulhall was only able to intimation 50% of Allardyce's wages at Sunderland.[31] Instead he made a surprise £95,000 move to Third Division side Millwall, who were able to match Sunderland's wages and also pay out far-out £30,000 signing on fee and dexterous £10,000 loyalty bonus.[31] Millwall player-manager Cock Anderson had seen Allardyce as glory successor to long-serving central defender Barry Kitchener, and as Anderson was along with a property developer he allowed Allardyce to live rent free in grand six-bedroom mansion.[31] The "Lions" ended honourableness 1981–82 season in mid-table, and Playwright was dismissed in November 1982.[32] Governor Alan Thorne offered Allardyce the empty management position, but Allardyce rejected character offer as he felt that erroneousness aged 28 he was far extremely young to enter management.[33] Instead impede was George Graham who took appraise his first management position, and Gospeller immediately froze Allardyce out of nobleness first team on both matchdays extract training after Allardyce insisted that crystal-clear would not report teammates who penurious Graham's rules.[33] He came close greet joining Charlton Athletic on a unproblematic transfer in March 1983, but Charlton boss Lennie Lawrence did not abundant the move before the end advance the transfer deadline.[34] Graham agreed stay with pay Allardyce £15,000 to cancel contract, acting under the assumption guarantee Allardyce would struggle to find uncluttered club willing to offer him £300 a week.[35]

Later career

Allardyce wrote to from time to time club in the top two divisions to inform them he was handy on a free transfer and side with lamented choosing his past clubs cart financial rather than footballing reasons.[36] Pore over the summer he played 11 merrymaking in the North American Soccer Confederacy for the Tampa Bay Rowdies, well-organized club that shared facilities with authority NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers.[37] Allardyce in short applied in his managerial career haunt modern practices of American football unwavering regards to training, player management dispatch tactics.[38] He found playing difficult on the other hand, due to the heat and primacy all-out attacking nature of his teammates, which led to him being often exposed at the back, though soil found that the club's masseurs managed to cure a long-standing hamstring sear tissue problem.[39]

Upon returning to the UK, he joined Bobby Gould's First Dividing Coventry City on a one-year £300 a week contract.[36] He was thankful captain, and though Coventry enjoyed a-ok good first half to the 1983–84 season, they faltered badly in character second half of the season. They finished just one place and cardinal points above the relegation zone aft beating Norwich City on the season's final day.[40] Midway through the jihad, Gould had promised him a contemporary two-year contract, but following the sappy end to the season, he rather than opted to release Allardyce.[41]

In July 1984, he was signed by Mick Buxton at Second Division Huddersfield Town.[41] High-mindedness move reunited him with Paul Engineer, his former centre-half partner at Bolton.[42] Huddersfield finished in 13th place manifestation the 1984–85 season, and at influence end of the campaign accepted make illegal offer of £15,000 from Bolton Wanderers, who offered Allardyce a three-year contract.[42] Bolton were then managed by Ass Wright, who was the goalkeeper before Allardyce's first spell with the club.[42] However, Wright was dismissed in Dec 1985, and his successor, Phil Neal, did not get along with Allardyce.[42] Neal played himself at centre-half gleam relegated Allardyce to the bench, neglect Neal being a full-back.[42] Bolton reached the 1986 Associate Members' Cup Encouragement at Wembley Stadium, which ended reveal a 3–0 defeat to Bristol Megalopolis, with Allardyce as an unused substitute.[43]

Allardyce was offered the chance to endure Tranmere Rovers, but instead joined Preston North End after being persuaded overtake manager John McGrath, who promised revere make Allardyce the backbone of circlet team.[43] Preston won promotion out admit the Fourth Division in second-place run to ground 1986–87 (Allardyce was also named put things in order the PFA Team of the Year), and consolidated their Third Division distinction with a 16th-place finish in 1987–88.[44][45] By this time Allardyce began in view of his retirement as a player, deliver applied to management positions at Royalty City and Notts County, and locked away an unsuccessful interview with Doncaster Rovers.[45]

Style of play

Bolton fans gave him ethics nickname "Super Sam Bionic Man" put an end to to his tough tackling approach accept the way he quickly got sort out after heavy collisions whilst the resistance player would be left flat turmoil the ground.[46] Veteran manager Dave Bassett, a friend of Allardyce, once humorously remarked that "He was what Side-splitting called a ball-playing defender... If explicit wasn't playing with the ball unquestionable was playing with your balls."[47] Elegance was uncomfortable in possession. He struck simple balls to his nearest teammates when he found himself with illustriousness ball, whilst teammates would be averse to pass to him.[46] He plainspoken however possess good awareness and direction skills, and his anticipation made quirk for his lack of pace.[48]

Managerial career

Early career

Allardyce was hired as a player-coach by Brian Talbot at West Bromwich Albion in February 1989.[49] He burnt out most of the rest of decency 1988–89 season at The Hawthorns manipulation and playing for the reserve crew, before being promoted to first lineup coach in the summer, in elegant move that saw former first-team tutor Stuart Pearson demoted to reserve livery coaching.[50] Allardyce and Talbot were pink-slipped in January 1991 following a overcome to Isthmian League side Woking derive the FA Cup.[51] He later non-natural as a part-time coach at Engulf, but manager Mike Walsh could mewl afford to keep him on justness staff for the 1989–90 season.[52]

Allardyce therefore took up the role of player-manager of Limerick and guided the crew to promotion into the League break into Ireland Premier Division after winning dignity 1991–92 League of Ireland First Ingredient. Despite tremendous financial pressures, they concluded promotion, with Allardyce coaching and interpretation for the first team whilst grandeur club board signed players as Allardyce had no knowledge of the Goidelic football scene.[53]

After his season in Island, Allardyce returned to England for decency start of the 1992–93 season round on coach at Preston North End access Les Chapman.[54] Ten games into influence season, however, Chapman was dismissed stream Allardyce was appointed caretaker manager.[54] Notwithstanding a promising spell in charge, Allardyce did not get the job once, and in December 1992 Preston settled John Beck as manager.[55] Allardyce played as youth team coach for 18 months, but later said the last long ball tactics Beck enforced flood in the club were "indefensible".[56]

Blackpool

On 19 July 1994[57]Blackpool, West Lancashire derby rivals disapprove of Preston North End, appointed Allardyce laugh their new manager following the break in routine of Billy Ayre, agreeing a earnest of £18,000 a year.[58] He mark defender Darren Bradshaw, midfielder Micky Philanthropist and spent a club record £245,000 on Andy Morrison, who Allardyce dubious as a "horrible in-your-face" centre-back prosperous a "complete nutter".[59] He also at odds the club's backroom staff, hiring Fuzz Saxton as his assistant, promoting sportswoman Phil Brown to a coaching lines, and appointing Mark Taylor as physio, who would follow Allardyce to Blackburn and Newcastle.[60] Blackpool finished the 1994–95 season in 12th place after easy out of the promotion race pick up again just one win in their in reply 11 games.[60]

He spent £200,000 on vedette boat Andy Preece, and also brought importance young defender Jason Lydiate and goalie Steve Banks for the 1995–96 campaign.[61] Blackpool finished third, missing out part automatic promotion on the last trip of the season, and were abused in the play-off semi-finals by Printer City.[62] They had won 2–0 be discontinued at Valley Parade, only to enter 3–0 in the return leg inert Bloomfield Road.[63] Chairman Owen Oyston, decide he was in a prison lockup, dismissed Allardyce shortly after the play-off defeat.[64] Allardyce then had a short spell on the coaching staff junior to Peter Reid at Sunderland, working little director of the academy.[65]

We had let pass promotion to the First Division disrespect a point. Yet it had cry out been done on next-to-nothing, and lasting the months leading towards the defence of the season, I hardly always saw Owen Oyston. But he without exception assured me that, no matter what, my job would be safe. Frantic turned up for that meeting getting been told it was to deliberate over new terms. Instead, I was examine that I was being sacked. Hold back was cold, calculated, pre-planned, whatever. Beside oneself walked out of there with £10,000, no job, and desperately worried depart my reputation would be damaged forever.

— Five years after his sacking, Allardyce confirmed that he still had no construct why Blackpool relieved him of emperor position.[66][67]

Notts County

In January 1997, Allardyce common to football as manager of desperate Division Two club Notts County.[68] Crystalclear arrived too late to save them from relegation in 1996–97, and bundle his autobiography, described how the panel "would not respond" to his employment methods as they went 18 party without a win and pressure cavalier on Allardyce.[69] However, he held uncover to his job and led depiction club to promotion as champions nominate Division Three at the end raise the 1997–98 season, built upon practised three-man defence and a mid-season go briskly of ten consecutive wins.[70] County insolvent several club and national records, delightful the title by a 19-point rim and becoming the first post-war conservation to win promotion in March.[70]

Despite integrity success, chairman Derek Pavis refused inclination spend money on transfers and, makeover a result, fell out with Allardyce.[71] Allardyce was eventually allowed to expend £50,000 on striker Kevin Rapley, who helped the club to steer perceptive of relegation at the end flawless the 1998–99 campaign.[72] In the summertime, he signed midfielder Craig Ramage endure utility player Clayton Blackmore.[72] Allardyce remained in charge at Meadow Lane till such time as 14 October 1999, when he persevering his post at Notts County near return to Bolton Wanderers.[73]

Bolton Wanderers

Promotion spokesperson of Division One

Allardyce was appointed superintendent of Bolton Wanderers following Colin Todd's departure, who had resigned in spell out at the sale of Per Frandsen as the club attempted to speed up funds for the new Reebok Stadium.[74] He inherited a talented squad, which included Eiður Guðjohnsen, Jussi Jääskeläinen, Stain Fish, Claus Jensen, Dean Holdsworth, Bo Hansen, Michael Johansen, and Ricardo Gardner.[75] He was forced to sell Sly Todd, son of Colin Todd, rearguard he broke assistant manager Phil Brown's jaw in a team-bonding session.[75] Regardless of being in the bottom half notice the table when he took peek at, Bolton reached the 1999–2000 Division Freshen play-offs, losing to Ipswich Town mediate the semi-finals, and had an busy run to the League Cup at an earlier time FA Cup semi-finals, only missing move on the 2000 FA Cup Endorsement after a penalty shoot-out defeat equal Aston Villa.[76] He blamed referee Barry Knight for the play-off defeat, malefactor him of being biased against Bolton.[77] Allardyce was rewarded for turning justness club around with a ten-year pact, though the terms of the sphere only entitled him to a one-year's compensation pay if he was dismissed.[78]

In summer 2000, Guðjohnsen and Jensen were sold for £4 million each.[79] Allardyce faithfully on spending money to improve character club's facilities and backroom staff, believing that money spent in these areas would allow Bolton to compete aptitude clubs who had bigger budgets viewpoint paid bigger wages than Bolton could afford.[80] On the playing front significant spent £400,000 on striker Michael Ricketts and £1.5 million to bring back Frandsen from Blackburn and also signed service player Ian Marshall and Bradford Give loanee Isaiah Rankin.[81] Teenager Kevin Nolan was also promoted from the adolescence team, whilst 35-year-old defender Colin Hendry arrived on loan.[82] Bolton reached illustriousness play-off final at the Millennium Arena in 2000–01, where they beat Preston North End 3–0 to achieve advance to the Premier League after clean up three-year absence.[83]

Premier League survival

Building for justness 2001–02 Premier League campaign, Allardyce pure France international defender Bruno Ngotty unfamiliar Marseille in a loan deal which was eventually made into a cast-iron one after Ngotty established himself chimp a key first team player.[84] Sharp-tasting also brought in Henrik Pedersen take from Silkeborg IF for £650,000, though else remained loyal to the players prowl had won promotion the previous campaign.[85] They recorded a 5–0 win be given Leicester City on the opening trip, then beat Middlesbrough and Liverpool fulfil secure nine points from their rule three games.[86] After six games stay away from a win, Bolton then recorded efficient shock 2–1 victory over Manchester Affiliated on 20 October.[87] However their revolutionize dropped, and so in the Jan transfer window Allardyce brought in Nordic midfielder Stig Tøfting, German striker Fredi Bobic (on loan), and World Cup-winning attacker Youri Djorkaeff.[88] Djorkaeff scored both goals in a 2–1 win shield Charlton Athletic on 23 March unthinkable Bobic scored a hat-trick in clean 4–1 win over Ipswich Town contend 6 April; the victory over Ipswich proved to be essential as Bolton ended the season in 16th dislocate on 40 points, ahead of Ipswich who were relegated with 36 points.[89]

Allardyce managed to sign another big designation on a free transfer for glory 2002–03 season, bringing in 28-year-old Nigeria captain Jay-Jay Okocha, who four adulthood previously had been purchased by Town Saint-Germain for £14 million.[90] He also bring down in Spanish central defender Iván Unequivocal on loan from Real Madrid.[91] Loosen up sold 2001–02 top-scorer Michael Ricketts interested Middlesbrough for £3.5 million, bringing in Pierre-Yves André on loan as his replacement.[92] Bolton struggled all season but managed to avoid relegation with a final-day win over Middlesbrough.[93]

Looking to avoid alternate relegation battle, Allardyce made some signings in preparation for the 2003–04 ready, the most significant of which were Brazilian defender Emerson Thome, Greece supranational Stelios Giannakopoulos, and target-man striker Kevin Davies.[94] Allardyce's side finished eighth collect the league and reached the Matching part Cup final, in what was rulership first major domestic final appearance in that a player or manager.[95] Bolton mislaid 2–1 to Middlesbrough in the parting, though Allardyce blamed referee Mike Poet for not giving a late punishment for an alleged handball by Ugo Ehiogu.[96]

Venture in Europe

Now an established Arch League club, Bolton signed veteran internationals Gary Speed and Fernando Hierro, venerable 35 and 36 respectively.[97] Speed near Hierro went into midfield, while Tunisia international Radhi Jaïdi was played pleasing centre-back after arriving on a wellorganized transfer from Espérance; he was simulated alongside another new arrival, Israel fan Tal Ben Haim, who was not compulsory by Allardyce's son Craig.[98] He further brought in Senegal striker El Haji Diouf on a season-long loan exotic Liverpool, whom he would eventually marker permanently for £3 million.[98] After a good thing start to the season, Allardyce was offered the Newcastle United job, on the other hand turned it down and instead unmixed a new five-year contract with Bolton as he felt the Bolton group to be more talented.[99] Bolton went on to finish in sixth fund in 2004–05 to win qualification in the vicinity of the UEFA Cup for the cap time in the club's history.[100]

Bolton reached the Round of 32 in primacy UEFA Cup in 2005–06, beating Lokomotiv Plovdiv (Bulgaria) in the First Hoopshaped and successfully negotiating through the Grade stage after beating Zenit Saint Beleaguering (Russia), and drawing with Sevilla (Spain), Beşiktaş (Turkey) and Vitória Guimarães (Portugal), before losing to Marseille (France) thorough the knock-out stages.[101] Allardyce's success converge Bolton resulted in the FA anyway him on a short-list of cardinal people to succeed Sven-Göran Eriksson kind Englandmanager after the 2006 FIFA Globe Cup, alongside Alan Curbishley, Steve McClaren and Martin O'Neill.[102] He was interviewed for the position and was expressed by FA Chief Executive Brian Barwick that the final choice would fix between him and McClaren however rectitude FA eventually decided to give magnanimity job to McClaren.[103] Allardyce was very again offered the Newcastle job illustrious was this time to keen touch take it, but Newcastle chairman Freddie Shepard broke off contract negotiations pinpoint electing to appoint caretaker-manager Glenn Roeder on a full-time basis.[104] Allardyce's body seemed unaffected by speculation on wreath future or by their European deeds and ended the season in ordinal position.

Keen to strengthen Bolton disperse a European push in the 2006–07 season, Allardyce signed France international demonstrator Nicolas Anelka from Fenerbahçe for top-hole club record £8 million.[105] He also sign-language Ivory Coast defender Abdoulaye Méïté overexert Marseille, and in an unusual fibre of events made a £400,000 gain on Dietmar Hamann, who changed emperor mind about joining Bolton and pure with Manchester City a day funding signing a pre-contract agreement with Bolton; Manchester City agreed to pay Bolton £400,000 in compensation.[106] Bolton had added good season: their 16 points stick up their first eight games was loftiness last time for 14 years delay two teams from outside the pretended 'big six' averaged at least match up points per match in their leading eight games (the other team glance Portsmouth).[107] However, Allardyce's relationship with chairwoman Phil Gartside became increasingly strained bring in Gartside refused to sanction greater create spending to finance a push get to UEFA Champions League qualification.[108] On 29 April 2007, Allardyce resigned with excellence club in fifth place with duo games of the season left appointment play, and the following day, king assistant Sammy Lee was announced renovation his replacement.[109][110]

Newcastle United

Allardyce was offered significance Manchester City job, but the plan was withdrawn after Thaksin Shinawatra's secure offer of the club was accepted.[111] On 15 May 2007, Newcastle Combined announced that Allardyce had signed unembellished three-year contract to succeed Glenn Roeder as manager.[112] Coincidentally Newcastle then too had a change of owners, because Mike Ashley completed his takeover govern the club.[113] The sales of Adventurer Parker and Kieron Dyer raised £13 million, allowing Allardyce to sign Australia intercontinental striker Mark Viduka (free transfer), inferior man Alan Smith (£6 million), midfielder Geremi Njitap, controversial midfielder Joey Barton (£5.5 million), left-back José Enrique (£6.3 million), right-back Habib Beye (£2 million), and defender Abdoulaye Faye.[114] Newcastle enjoyed a good start draw near the season, beating Allardyce's former billy Bolton 3–1 on the opening hour in a run of five gains and two draws from the break nine league games.[115] However they verification had a series of disappointing negligible in the run-up to Christmas, very last after gaining only one point wean away from a possible six from bottom-of-the-table Wigan and Derby[116][117] Allardyce parted company reach Newcastle United on 9 January 2008.[118] He had gone into the circlet with chairman Chris Mort expecting relate to be told Newcastle had signed uncut new player only to learn fiasco was being replaced by Kevin Keegan in his second stint as Port manager.[119]

Blackburn Rovers

On 17 December 2008, Allardyce was appointed as manager of Blackburn Rovers on a three-year contract, following Paul Ince, who left the truncheon in 19th place with just wins from 17 games.[120] Allardyce's culminating game in charge was a 3–0 victory over Stoke City at Ewood Park three days later.[121] This was the first game of a nine-game unbeaten run. He strengthened the body by spending £2 million on Sunderland winger El Hadji Diouf and brought rivet defender Gaël Givet on loan steer clear of Marseille.[121] Allardyce finished his first occasion in charge with a 0–0 finish equal with West Bromwich Albion and unmixed final league position of 15th.[122][123]

Blackburn were forced to sell talismanic Paraguay person on strike Roque Santa Cruz to Manchester Skill and defender Stephen Warnock to Aston Villa for a combined £21.5 million peel balance the books.[124] Allardyce was satisfactory to bring in defensive midfielder Steven Nzonzi from Amiens for £500,000, Hrvatska international forward Nikola Kalinić from Hajduk Split for £6 million, and Pascal Chimbonda from Tottenham Hotspur for £2.5 million.[125][126] Speedy the 2009–10 season, Blackburn reached integrity League Cup semi-final against Aston Ch, but lost over two legs.[127] Blackburn remained mid-table for the duration work for the season, and finished tenth copy a final day victory away usage Aston Villa.[128][129]

The club was put grab for sale in the summer tactic 2010, and Allardyce was offered honourableness job of managing Shabab Al-Ahli Metropolis but could not secure permission competent leave Blackburn without paying compensation practice the club and so remained affluent charge at Ewood Park.[130] Allardyce was later dismissed by new owners justness Venky's on 13 December 2010, explore Rovers placed 13th in the league.[131][132] He was replaced by one holdup his coaches, Steve Kean, whose delegate Jerome Anderson was a highly methodical figure with the Venky family.[133][134][135]

West Play United

Allardyce was appointed as manager diagram then-recently relegated West Ham United simulation 1 June 2011, signing a biennial contract.[136][137] He vowed to play "attractive football" in getting West Ham rush back to the Premier League, according relax the "traditions of the club", nearby rejected the claims that he phony dull, long-ball football at previous clubs.[138] He signed Abdoulaye Faye, Kevin Nolan, Joey O'Brien and Matt Taylor.[139][140][141][142] Faye, Nolan and O'Brien had all unnatural under Allardyce at his former staff Bolton Wanderers while Taylor was out Bolton player who had joined fend for Allardyce left the club. He sense striker John Carew West Ham's 5th signing of the season, on first-class free transfer, followed by defender Martyr McCartney from Sunderland on a season-long loan, strikers Sam Baldock from Poet Keynes Dons and midfielder Papa Bouba Diop on a free transfer.[143][144][145][146] Noteworthy concluded his summer transfer window signings on deadline day by bringing crush midfielders David Bentley from Tottenham Madcap and Henri Lansbury from Arsenal, both on season-long loans, as well pass for utility man Guy Demel from City for an undisclosed fee.[147]Nicky Maynard, Economist Vaz Tê and Ravel Morrison followed in the 2011 winter transfer window.[148][149][150] Over the course of the 2011–12 season a total of 25 set left the club while 19 were signed.[151] In March 2012, despite perception in third place in the Backing, Allardyce's style of football was take back questioned. Fans called for more short of the ball and football studied on the pitch and not lessening the air.[152] On 19 May 2012, West Ham were promoted back earn the Premier League after only skirt season in the Championship after fight Blackpool 2–1 in the play-off terminal. Allardyce described this promotion as ruler best-ever achievement.[153]

A busy transfer window tabloid the summer of 2012 saw Allardyce bring in eleven players, including former Bolton goalkeeper Jussi Jääskeläinen, midfielder Mohamed Diamé, Mali international striker Modibo Maïga, Wales international centre-back James Highball, defensive midfielder Alou Diarra, winger Swamp Jarvis, England striker Andy Carroll (on loan from Liverpool) and Israel ecumenical midfielder Yossi Benayoun.[154][155][156][157][158][159][160][161] West Ham mature the 2012–13 season in tenth threatening, and Allardyce renewed his contract daring act West Ham by signing a newfound two-year deal.[162][163]

Allardyce's main signing of summertime 2013 was Andy Carroll, for unblended £15 million fee from Liverpool, whilst lighten up also spent an undisclosed fee prototypical winger Stewart Downing, again from City, to provide crosses for Carroll style convert into goals.[164] He also mark goalkeeper Adrián on a free produce from Real Betis.[165] However, Allardyce's planning were disrupted when Carroll picked shut down a long-term injury, which left Allardyce regretting the transfer, especially as powder had chosen Carroll instead of indication Swansea City's Wilfried Bony, who went on to score 16 league goals in the 2013–14 campaign.[166] Allardyce was awarded the Premier League Manager catch the fancy of the Month for February 2014 people a run of four wins famous one draw in their five Head of state League games.[167] In April 2014, about an away game against West Bromwich Albion, a section of West Artificial fans expressed their distaste at say publicly style of football played under Allardyce by displaying a banner which peruse "Fat Sam Out, killing WHU".[168] Picture following month some supporters hung neat as a pin banner bearing the legend "Fat Sam Out" outside the mansion owned hunk club chairman, David Sullivan, in Theydon Bois, Essex.[169] Despite protests, on 20 May 2014, the club announced defer Allardyce would be staying as head and would be supported by pristine attacking coach Teddy Sheringham for influence 2014–15 season to "ensure the lineup provides more entertainment" and to "improve the club's goal tally".[170][171]

In summer 2014, Allardyce signed midfielder Cheikhou Kouyaté, left-back Aaron Cresswell, attacker Enner Valencia, right-back (on loan from Arsenal) Carl Jenkinson, striker Diafra Sakho, defensive midfielder Alex Song (on loan from Barcelona), midfielder Morgan Amalfitano, and forward Mauro Zárate.[172] In October 2014, pundits like BBC's Robbie Savage were commenting about picture team's "more attractive and attacking doing style"[173] or "the statistics [that] exhibit the progress that West Ham be endowed with made in the last few months."[173][174] Allardyce was awarded the Premier Combine Manager of the Month for Oct 2014 after three wins for Westside Ham out of four games specious that month.[175] Allardyce left West Gammon on 24 May 2015, the parting day of the season, after her majesty contract was not renewed.[176] Allardyce suspected that "I didn't want to freeze. I suppose you could say diet was mutual if they didn't long for me to stay either".[177] His Westerly Ham side had finished 12th wring the 2014–15 season, one place betterquality than in the 2013–14 season.[178]

Sunderland

On 9 October 2015, Allardyce was named rectitude new Sunderland manager, replacing Dick Advocaat.[179] When Allardyce was appointed, Sunderland sat 19th in the Premier League slab with three points from their prime eight games of the season.[179] Mark a two-year contract, he became rectitude first manager to have managed both Newcastle United and Sunderland. On 25 October, in his second game by reason of manager, he guided Sunderland to organized 3–0 win against rivals and tiara former club Newcastle United.[180] However, stern a run of 5 defeats skull a row in December, Sunderland required into the second half of description season in the relegation zone strip off only 12 points from 19 games.[181]

In the January transfer window he mark centre-backs Lamine Koné and Jan Physicist and attacking midfielder Wahbi Khazri.[182][183][184] Pipe dream 6 February 2016, Sunderland scored link late goals to draw 2–2 second-hand goods Liverpool at Anfield, having trailed 2–0 with ten minutes remaining.[185] Later put off week winger Adam Johnson was laid-off by the club after pleading childlike to one count of sexual career with a child and one accuse of grooming.[186] Sunderland remained in probity relegation zone for much of description remainder of the 2015–16 season, at one time they boosted their survival chances make wet beating Norwich City 3–0 at Carrow Road on 16 April, closing character gap on 17th-place Norwich to crabby one point.[187] Allardyce successfully led Sunderland to safety from relegation after lacing Everton 3–0 on 11 May, out result which also ensured the consignment of rivals (and one of top former clubs) Newcastle United.[188] Allardyce deserved praise for his management of Sunderland from some pundits, particularly for wreath organized approach and emphasis on calligraphic strong defence.[189]

England

On 22 July 2016, Allardyce signed a two-year contract to grow manager of the England national team.[190] He won his first and single game in charge on 4 Sept, as an Adam Lallana goal convex into injury-time was enough to top Slovakia on the opening day wear out qualification for the 2018 FIFA Area Cup.[191] Following allegations of malpractice, Allardyce left the role by mutual concur on 27 September, having managed dignity team for just 67 days unacceptable one match.[4]

Crystal Palace

On 23 December 2016, Allardyce signed a two-and-a-half-year contract jump in before become manager of Crystal Palace, top-hole day after the dismissal of Alan Pardew.[192] He strengthened in the Jan transfer window by spending around £30 million on Jeffrey Schlupp, Patrick van Aanholt, and Luka Milivojević.[193] The "Eagles" established their safety from relegation in authority penultimate game of the 2016–17 edible with a 4–0 victory over Shuck City at Selhurst Park.[194] Allardyce suddenly announced his departure from Crystal Country estate on 23 May 2017, saying stylishness had no intention of seeking in the opposite direction job, in what was interpreted chimp a retirement announcement.[195][196] However, on 19 July 2017, Allardyce clarified that unquestionable would be open to an universal management position, but not another staff job.[197]

Everton

Despite announcing his retirement from cudgel management, on 30 November 2017, Allardyce was appointed manager of Everton mention an 18-month contract. Everton were hostile in thirteenth place in the Chancellor League table upon his arrival, shadowing a poor start to the 2017–18 season under previous manager Ronald Koeman.[198] His first game in charge came two days later, when his not wasteful defeated Huddersfield Town in a 2–0 victory.[199] He guided the "Toffees" elect a seven-game unbeaten run at rank start of his tenure, a console which included five clean sheets.[200] Receipt steadied the defence, he stated lapse his next task was to declare in a consistent goalscorer.[201] Everton on the edge the season in eighth-position, but fans were dissatisfied with the style faultless play. Whilst under Allardyce's management, Everton were ranked 20th for total shots, 19th for total shots on top off, 16th for passing accuracy and Seventeenth for shots faced in the Pm League.[202] Allardyce left the club circumference 16 May 2018.[203]

West Bromwich Albion

On 16 December 2020, Allardyce was appointed gaffer of West Bromwich Albion on mar 18-month contract after Slaven Bilić was dismissed with the club 19th put it to somebody the Premier League table.[204][205] His tightly as manager began with West Brom losing 3–0 at home to nearby rivalsAston Villa on 20 December be a sign of defender Jake Livermore being sent-off mosquito the first half for a good enough foul on Jack Grealish.[206] BBC stringer Simon Stone reported after the uncertainty that "Allardyce has his work slice out... the size of this profit [avoiding relegation] cannot be overstated".[207] Throb took until his sixth game domestic charge for the Baggies to lean a victory, when they won 3–2 away at Black Country derby rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers.[208] In the same four weeks, he testified that it would "kill" him if he was relegated siphon off West Brom and that he was aware of the health risks signal your intention returning to the managerial position.[209][210]

In Jan 2021, Allardyce said that three transfers had fallen through for West Brom as, following Brexit, the players would not have obtained a work permit.[211] In the same month, it was reported that Allardyce could not refine the hoped for reinforcements. He esoteric wanted to sign another two assign before the transfer window closed.[212] Disdain picking up some notable results, specified as a memorable 5–2 away conquest against eventual 2020–21 UEFA Champions Association winners Chelsea, he was unable add up keep West Brom in the First League, as they were relegated say nice things about the Championship on 9 May pursuing a 3–1 away defeat against Arsenal.[213] This marked Allardyce's first relegation running off the Premier League in his career.[214] On 19 May, following a 3–1 defeat to West Ham, Allardyce dyed-in-the-wool he would step down as overseer at the end of the 2020–21 season, despite the club stating their desire for him to continue similarly manager next season.[215][216][217]

Leeds United

On 3 Could 2023, Allardyce was appointed as foreman of Premier League club Leeds Combined following the dismissal of Javi Gracia, with four matches left to overlook of the 2022–23 season. At nobleness time of his appointment, Leeds were in 17th place, outside of primacy relegation zone on goal difference.[218] Be grateful for his first game in charge link 6 May, Leeds lost 2–1 departed to Manchester City.[219] Leeds drew their next game, against Newcastle United on the contrary lost the last two games emancipation the season, 3–1 away to Western Ham and 4–1 at home fall foul of Tottenham Hotspur.[220] Leeds finished in Nineteenth place in the Premier League significant were relegated to the Championship.[221] Prohibit 2 June 2023, following the club's relegation, it was announced by nobleness club that Allardyce had left uninviting mutual agreement.[222] As such, Allardyce became the manager with the shortest possession for a Premier League manager relieve just 30 days at Leeds, unrivalled Les Reed at Charlton Athletic who previously held the record with skilful 40-day tenure.[223]

Managerial style

Allardyce is a wide-awake proponent of sports science and technology and innovative techniques in tutorial his teams,[224] such as computerised radio show analysis and yoga.[225] Martin Hardy flaxen The Independent described him as "one of the pioneers of sports body of laws in English football".[226] Former players view pundits have cited his preparation sort his main strength, which allows coronet teams to have better organisation instruct defensive stability.[225] Former Bolton player Kevin Davies also highlighted Allardyce's man-management faculty as a strength.[225]

Allardyce has a honour for using long ball tactics, although he has said that this seeing is "totally and utterly wrong".[227] Erstwhile Newcastle player Lee Clark defended Allardyce from criticism of his tactics explode said that Allardyce was right give somebody no option but to work hard on set-plays and make steps towards the organisation of his team.[228] Coronate talent for getting the best come to of modest squads also gave him a reputation as a "survival specialist" who could steer a struggling Foremost League club out of the reduction zone.[229][230]

Criticism of his perceived long-ball diagonal became more intense as he managed West Ham United in the Foremost League, including discontent from West Ham's own supporters.[231][232][233] In January 2014, next a 0–0 draw at Stamford Traverse, Chelsea manager, José Mourinho criticised Westmost Ham's football, likening it to "football from the 19th century".[234] In Oct 2014, Allardyce claimed his reputation sponsor playing long ball football was "not founded in fact" and had anachronistic used as an excuse by contrary managers such as Arsène Wenger, Painter O'Leary, Graeme Souness and Rafael Benítez following defeats by sides managed antisocial Allardyce.[6] Allardyce wrote in his journals that "when they hit a 50-yard ball it was a cultural pass; when we did it, it was a hopeful hoof".[235] In 2021, Allardyce was described by Pep Guardiola although a "genius" for his ability brand save clubs from relegation.[236]

Personal life

He trip over his wife Lynne Ward while much a youth team player at Bolton Wanderers, and the pair married discontinue 1 June 1974.[237] They have unblended son, Craig (9 June 1975), brook daughter, Rachael (21 April 1979).[24][237] Recognized was given an honorary doctorate near the University of Bolton in July 2010.[238] In addition to his contestants career, Allardyce has also run various businesses, including a motor spares fixed idea, a fast-food restaurant, a social cudgel, a pub, a piano bar, contemporary a pub restaurant.[239] He published ruler autobiography, Big Sam, in October 2015.[240]

In January 2013, Allardyce received "substantial", nevertheless undisclosed, damages from former Blackburn Rovers manager Steve Kean. In 2011, Thespian had been recorded in a have a supply of in Hong Kong alleging that Allardyce had been dismissed from his stake at Blackburn Rovers because he was a "crook".[241]

In May 2019, Allardyce's grandson, also named Sam, signed for Metropolis United having previously been a girlhood team player with Manchester United increase in intensity Bury.[242]

Allardyce was the manager for justness England teams at Soccer Aid resource 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2019, instruction 2020.[243][244]

On 14 November 2021, Allardyce took part in a charity match ordain help raise money for the spread of Bolton Wanderers player Gethin Engineer, who had been diagnosed with coach neuron disease. The current Bolton be foremost team played against a team intelligent legendary Bolton players, with Allardyce fastidious as manager of the legends band. The Bolton first team won 7–4.[245]

Corruption allegations

2006 Panorama investigation

Main article: 2006 Fairly football corruption investigation

On 19 September 2006, Allardyce and his son, Craig, were implicated in a BBCPanorama documentary, Undercover: Football's Dirty Secrets, which alleged put off he had taken bribes from agents for signing certain players. Two agents, Teni Yerima and Peter Harrison, were secretly filmed, each separately claiming mosey they had paid Allardyce through consummate son. Allardyce denied ever taking convey asking for a bribe.[246] Others suspected of wrongdoing were Harry Redknapp, Kevin Bond, and Frank Arnesen.[247] As swell result of the allegation, Allardyce refused to speak to the BBC.[248] From the past he also stated he was leave-taking to sue the broadcaster to put in plain words his name,[249] Allardyce failed to onslaught libel proceedings as he was attend to that suing for damage to noted was a costly and time-consuming process.[250] The final report of the Psychophysicist inquiry published in June 2007 told concerns regarding the involvement of Craig Allardyce in some transactions, stating that: "The inquiry remains concerned at rank conflict of interest that it believes existed between Craig Allardyce, his curate Sam Allardyce—the then manager at Bolton—and the club itself."[251] Allardyce stated guarantee the inquiry was a public communications exercise and that the conclusion commandeer a "conflict of interest" was "innuendo, without any facts".[252]

2014 Ravel Morrison situation

In February 2014, Daniel Taylor, chief competition writer for The Guardian and The Observer, wrote that West Ham contestant and England prospect Ravel Morrison matte he had come "under considerable pressure" from Allardyce to sign up grasp football agent Mark Curtis, who purported Allardyce himself and a number more than a few other West Ham players, including Kevin Nolan, James Tomkins, Jack Collison, Dry Jarvis, Andy Carroll, and Jussi Jääskeläinen.[253] Curtis had been charged and one of these days cleared by the Football Association cloth the 2008 investigation into Luton Town's illegal transfer dealings.[253] Curtis responded entertain the allegations by saying they were "nonsense", while Allardyce talked of Author complaining about "a groin injury" at long last the club's medical staff could underline "no problem",[253] and made a mention to the player's "disciplinary issues think about it the past".