Sam Allardyce would dump Manchester United if it meant being able to manage England
Former Hammers boss has always courted the Three Lions job above any other in world football
I GENUINELY believe that if Sam Allardyce was today the manager of Manchester United and the England job came along, he would take it without hesitation.
You see, Sam is a very passionate Englishman. Absolutely passionate about managing his country.
This is something he has wanted for his entire career — it has been his one lasting ambition.
And even though he was all set for another season in the Premier League with Sunderland, I am not at all surprised he has taken this opportunity.
I worked with Sam when he was West Ham manager from 2011 until last summer.
The one thing he made 100 per cent clear to me was that he would leave the Hammers for only one job — and that was England.
Whenever we had contract talks, it was always his insistence it would include a break clause in the deal should England come calling.
In fairness, he probably thought that the opportunity had passed him by — until Roy Hodgson resigned last month.
But it just goes to show everyone that if you keep working hard, keep focused, you will ultimately get the things you want in life.
I know a lot of people in football might groan when they hear the name ‘Sam Allardyce’ — but, trust me, rumour does not equal reputation. Some might think he plays very directly, or that his football is not entertaining, or that he represents traditional values.
But nothing could be further from the truth. He was one of the first who really truly understood the importance of sports science.
He has a way of generating respect through any organisation, from the top all the way to the bottom.
Importantly, he understands an individual player’s needs.
When you are running a national team, you might have to deal with one player at Leicester and then perhaps the captain of Manchester United.
They need different things to make them tick on the pitch.
Sam is very good at understanding different individuals, their personalities and getting the best out of them. He commands respect.
He is not soft. Many players at West Ham saw him as a father figure. But he is not the kind of father who would put his arm around you and tell you everything will be OK.
He is the sort of father that would say, “Go out there and do your best.”
Sam is far more intelligent than he gets credit for. People hear the Black Country accent and form an instant opinion.
But he is very intelligent, very sensible in his approach.
He makes decisions easily and quickly. Sometimes they are not popular ones — but he will only make them for the best of the team.
I’m afraid to say Sam is not going to let the media pick his team.
Sam truly believes in himself.
Glowing reference the FA failed to ask me for
ONE of the big things which has surprised me about Sam’s England appointment is that the FA have not phoned me to ask for a reference.
Which one would have thought they might have done!
It is quite unusual, because the most important employee within any football team — whether it’s domestic or internationally — is always going to be the manager.
But if they had bothered calling me for a reference, then this is what I have would have told them:
l The stereotype of Sam is all wrong. He is incredibly intelligent and innovative in his thinking.
l Sam is not afraid to make decisions, however unpopular. He will not be guided by any opinion-makers.
l Sam has incredible belief in his approach. He has been long enough in the game to know his own strengths and weaknesses.
He won’t listen to what is written or said — and he won’t change his mind. But that does not mean to say
he is a stubborn man. In fact, he is often open to suggestions.
That is why he puts a lot of weight in the staff around him.
When he was at West Ham, we won promotion in his first season in charge and then he established us as a Premier League team again. For that, we are immensely grateful.