Sunderland have announced today that Sam Allardyce will be their new manager. He has been without a club since leaving West Ham at the end of last season. He has signed a two year contract with the Black Cats and becomes their eighth manager in just seven years. He is also the first man to manage both Sunderland and Newcastle.
60 year old Allardyce has been the bookies favourite ever since Dick Advocaat resigned last Sunday. In a recent poll by the Sunderland Echo, 75% of fans said that he was the man they wanted in charge at the Stadium of Light.
Chairman and club owner Ellis Short said “I am very pleased to welcome Sam to our football club. Sunderland is a club he knows well and he was the obvious best choice for the job. He has vast experience of managing in the Premier League and an understanding first-hand of the north east and the passion of our fans, which will stand him in great stead. (source safc.com)
On agreeing to become manager Allardyce said “I have enjoyed my break from football and now I’m raring to get back. I met with Ellis and we spoke at length about the club and his ambitions and I knew I wanted to be part of that. I hope to be able to help to bring the stability and success that everyone wants. Of course it’s a challenging job, but it’s something I have experience of in the past. I’m looking forward to working with the players and of course I will be relying on the help of the Sunderland supporters, whose tremendous passion I have experienced first-hand. I can’t wait to get started.” (source safc.com)
The ex West Ham, Bolton and Newcastle boss, takes over a Sunderland side second bottom of the table and without a win in the league so far this season. Allardyce will have his work cut out to sort out the teams leaky defence, however he can take the positives from the display in last weekends draw against West Ham, where Sunderland played their best half of football for many a game.
Allardyce is not necessarily known for playing attractive football. West Ham United and Newcastle supporters were very vocal about his style of play. However he did say that his reputation for long ball football was “not founded in fact” but used as an excuse by opposition managers and fans after being defeated by his sides. Whatever his style of play is, he has never been relegated as a manager. He could be just what Sunderland need right now.
His first game in charge is away to West Bromwich Albion followed by the derby against rivals Newcastle in front of a full house at the Stadium of Light. Having played for Sunderland, been a part of their coaching team and also managed Newcastle, he will know how much this game means to the club and its fans, especially with the prospect of extending Sunderland’s winning streak. A good start to his regime will help with the bigger task – keeping Sunderland in the Premier League.
