El-Hadji Diouf backs Sam Allardyce to take Everton to Champions League with his brand of ‘champagne football’

SAM ALLARDYCE has been backed to inspire Everton into the Champions League with his brand of "champagne football."

Former Bolton ace El Hadji Diouf worked with Big Sam at Ewood Park in a team which also included Fernando Hierro, Ivan Campo and Jay-Jay Okocha.

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And the Senegalese international hit back at critics of Allardyce's perceived negative approach.

Diouf said: "With Sam there they’ll eventually reach the Champions League.

"He is a man who with zero can be the best. They need a character.

"With Bolton we played champagne football with Hierro, Campo, Okocha and myself."

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Allardyce will pocket £100,000 per week after being tasked with saving the Toffees.

And he's made an instant impact with two wins and a draw taking Everton to the top half of the table.

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Owner Farhad Moshiri turned to Allardyce after he failed to land Watford’s Marco Silva and original choice Carlo Ancelotti.

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SkySports reporter Jim White tweeted some comments from the businessman claiming there are no limits to where his appointment can take the club.

He said: "We need a strong leader, he gives us that.

"I really want to give him the support he needs. He can go as far as he wants."