Is Sam Allardyce coming to manage your team?
Sam Allardyce is too ambitious for Bolton, and he has made the hard decision to leave his club, surprisingly two weeks before the end of the season.
Will he go to Newcastle to replace Roeder? Manchester City to replace Pearce? Tottenham to replace Jol? England to replace McClaren? Or will he make the biggest turn of them all, and go to Chelsea?
At this point, I would also have considered Arsenal but that, my friend, would be a bit too far (and it would get me mugged needlessly).
For a second, let’s consider why Allardyce left. He is said to have resigned, and then he also says that they mutually agreed for him to resign early.
This tells me that a) Sam Allardyce has something planned and b) Bolton probably have a successor in mind.
Where can Allardyce go?
There are only a handful of club managers at the moment who would consider their job as completely untouchable. Alex Ferguson, for a comeback season that borders on incredulous. Arsene Wenger, for the sheer respect he commands at Arsenal. Rafael Benitez, who will be given at least one season under new management, and his Champions League record suggests that he will be around for several more years.
Other managers are relatively secure in their positions. Steve Coppell, Martin O’Neil, David Moyes, Harry Redknapp, Southgate and Mark Hughes are also, one way or the other, secure.
Which leaves us with the following - Manchester City, Newcastle United, Chelsea, Tottenham and the national team.
Manchester City
The strongest links in the media point Sam to Man City, and the takeover bids are also something that make his appointment possible. With money in his hands he could easily revitalise the team and drive them towards Europe.
Newcastle United
My pick for Sam, because if Newcastle have to challenge the top four, they need a stronger manager. Roeder can’t cut it.
Tottenham
This might piss off Spurs fans, but considering that both teams have roughly the same number of points despite the obvious quality in the Spurs side, there is a good chance that Spurs may not progress further under Jol. Martin Jol has done a good job in bringing Tottenham towards top 10 stability with a regular threat for Europe, but they need to make a move beyond that and Jol isn’t the one to do it.
Chelsea
This is partially in jest, partially because Mourinho’s methods may yet find him getting the sack. It would be absolute foolishness to sack Mourinho, but he’s not helping Chelsea’s aim to be loved. You would argue whether Sam is capable of that, but at the very least he’s not as abrasive as Mourinho.
England
After Man City, this is the strongest option. Steve McClaren is in trouble, and England need to be rescued. Surely, Sam can do a better job?
Sam too ambitious for Bolton
The one thing that immediately jumps out here is that despite the platitudes about Bolton being in great shape, this is not a move made to seek new challenges. It’s a move to achieve certain specific objectives, most likely in preparation for a move elsewhere in the Premiership. It says that Sam Allardyce does not consider Bolton to be capable of getting him the recognition he deserves, it says that if he stays with Bolton he won’t get the chance to manage England or play in the Champions League.
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Discussion - 13 Responses
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When Bobby Robson was sacked by Shepherd in August, 2004 apparently Sam Allardyce was Shepherd’s first choice - but Sam turned us down.
It’s no secret that Sam didn’t think Bolton has the ambition he has - (they don’t) - but certainly Newcastle United do.
Like anything in management I think Shepherd will go with Roeder for next year - but you never know what things will be like in Sep/Oct - which is not too long away for Sam to wait - he can always get a job on TV for a while.
If I was Sam I would wait in the wings a bit - and not necessarily take the first job offered….and see what transpires at some of the bigger clubs he could manage - like Newcastle.
Personally - I think he would be phenomenal at Newcastle - we’ll not have the problem of players not giving 100% under Sam - he’ll rip them off the field if that happens (love it!).
He’ll go to Hull, you mark my words.
Ahmed - good point on England - and that may be the job he’s positioning himself for - they say he was very upset at not getting the job last year.
Certainly Steve McClaren should not go on too much longer….he’s just not up to the job - even though he’s a decent guy.
It’s a very good time for Sam to take a break - he’s shown what he can do - and ge can sit back, relax and see what offers come along.
There is no doubt he’s done a fabulous job at Bolton.
with 4 teams separated by 4 points jockeying for the final two uefa cup spots (bolton, everton, tottenham, & reading), isn’t sam’s resignation before the end of the season a bit of a “fuck you” to bolton? they could well find themselves at the bottom of the pack, it’s not as though bolton (save anelka) is flush with top-5 or -6 talent.
but sam’s always struck me as a bit of a douche…
i wan sam 2 replace arsene wenger at arsenal.he’s a good manager.also i wan former fulham manager chris coleman 2 replace arsenal’s assistant manager pat rice.rice is getting older.so,coleman is the best young replacement.sam & chris is the best choice!!!!!!!!!
I think Big Sam will be joining Newcastle as Roeder is not good enough for Newcastle.Its a shame that a club of Newcastle’s reputation fininshing lower than Reading.Big Sam is the man for the job..Mark my words
Pure speculation, but as likely as him taking over Spurs:
He’s quit because the corruption in football enquiry is just about to publish its’ findings, namely that he’s been taking bungs. He will fade into obscurity with a tarnished reputation and will sadly no longer be the man to make Arsenal look silly every season.
Sammy Lee, assistant coach at Bolton, takes over as head coach.
Looking at the list of probables that you open the thread with, I think it`s a straight `race` between Man City and Newcastle, with the England job depending upon results over the next 6 months.
The problem I see is that I don`t think Shepard wants rid of Roeder - we will do our usual, give Glen money to spend in the summer to keep the fans happy and ensure the season tickets go, get off to a poor start again and then sack Roeded in October.
The next Manager will not have cash to spend, will have to rescue the team, and we will get all of the normal rubbish about putting this season behind use, blah, blah, blah.
If Sam is going anywhere, he is going to Man City.
Gutted Sams left. Thanks for the last 71/2 years. True Bolton fans understand why he left.Bolton will regret not pushing the boat out finacialy. Newcastle are a big club and can offer Sam the right package to be a very succesfull manager. I will watch with envy Newcastle lifting the FA cup. Good Luck Sam
i thing big sam went to arsernal
he go to hull you mark my word