At my barber’s today, I was sat next to a Sunderland season ticket holder. He really doesn’t want Sam to go because he “really understands players and gets the best out of them”. However, he’ll happily take the £5m compo from the FA to buy some unknown South American’s left leg. As he (and you) said, “the FA could do much worse”.
For myself, I like the idea of a proper manager and not a “head coach”. Sam is pretty straightforward and is unlikely to tolerate the prima donnas who inhabit the England squad. Give him a go.
And why not?
There are precious few English Managers with any pedigree available, and as a stop gap he might be worth a punt. And by association, one would assume that Kevin Nolan will likely be drafted in as Coach
Glenn Hoddle would be a fine choice (unfinished business etc), it could be a lot worse and the FA could’ve called in Neil Warnock.
Allardyce’s teams are well drilled, organised and prepared. Not always pretty, but effective.
More Steel than Silk, but would be a better game to watch than Woys habit of getting his teams to play sideways, and slowly, waiting for a gap to appear (or the opposition to fall asleep with boredom).
Statistically (in the Premier League) he’s second only to ‘Arry in the list of English Managers.
Let’s hope there is some sort of succession planned this time, so when the next incumbent goes (is forced out?) there is a ready made successor in waiting, rather than 3 months of media speculation
As IrIsh West Ham fan, i couldn’t wait for him to depart Upton Park. He takes all the fun out of football. Even when he stumbled on a winning, entertaining combination of Sakho and Valencia up front, he refused to play them together again once his favourites Nolan and Carroll were fit (in the loosest sense of the word). His disdain for the fans might be an asset in the England job. I think his appointment has great comedy potential. The big positive might be Mark Noble finally getting the England cap he deserves.
I am also a West Ham fan, and I can only agree wholeheartedly with the above.
BFSA did absolutely everything that was asked of him in terms of results – promotion at the first attempt (just), a decent first season back in the Prem, where staying up and getting a foothold is all that counts, and then ensuring a bit of stability from which to progress. But, but, but, he did all this with an arrant disregard for the fans, a refusal to accept any responsibility for any failure, and in the end, a lack of sufficient wit or tactical acumen to actually build on the stability that he had established.
I think he would be a good appointment for England in the short to medium term in that he might give the current set up a good old fashioned kick up the arse, and he will be less inclined to be dazzled by “big club” big name players, past reputations, or tabloid favourites. All of which will in my view be an improvement not just on the woeful Hodgson, but on most of the England managers going back to Eriksson.
However, I’d be amazed if he actually won us anything.
But yes, he might just pick Mark Noble. Personally, I’d make Noble the England captain.
And Mr Little, please don’t even think of taking Super Slav anywhere – the very best thing to happen to West Ham in twenty years, and he’s just getting started.
The Times guy, Daniel Finklestein, writes a “Think Tank” column on a Saturday, and a year or so ago he did a survey of statistics which compared points gained in the Premiership as a ratio or percentage to wages spent (or something like that, you get the picture), and Sir Alex came in first by a long way, Allerdicci was second.
I will tell you something tho’, if Engerlund are losing 2-1 to Iceland in any future competition, Fat Sam won’t be caught looking around from side to side like a lost soul (Eriksson), scribbling out notes like a demented fuckwit (McClaren), standing like a constipated statue (Capello) or gazing like a weasel caught in the headlights (the last one)…he’ll be up there, giving it big cojones.
To be fair to BFS (and, as a Boro fan, that’s bloody difficult for me!), he did a remarkable job to keep the Mackems up, considering the utter shambles he inherited – you know you’re in trouble when your first choice centre-backs are John O’Shea and Wes Brown, and your midfield is lumbered with Lee ‘Red Card’ Cattermole.
Added to the fact that them staying up meant we could wave smugly at the Mags as we passed them on the way up.
Cannot stand the bumptiousness and arrogance of the man, but would be a good fit for England, though really couldn’t give a damn about the English national team. He has been effective up to a point, but just don’t expect England to start winning things. If nothing else, if he is appointed he will have to stop moaning about being pigeonholed and not having been given a chance. BTW, may be talking off the top of my head but have those allegations about dodgy transfer dealings been dealt with and dismissed ?
A final plea…can everyone stop referring to him as ‘Big Sam’. He’s not the first big boned ex-centre half who has put on a bit of suet since retiring.
I expect them to carry on failing just as before. The whole setup is rotten to the core and the new manager will struggle to make any appreciable difference, because he’s got a near-impossible task to get the press, the team, the fans and the FA behind him. Everyone is clutching daggers, waiting to stab his back.
Luckily, the pay is pretty good, though..
Ask yourself this. Would any European middle to top ranking national team even consider employing Allardyce as their coach. Of course not. Lichtenstein perhaps, San Marino maybe, England possibly……………..Oh Dear.
As far as I am concerned Bruce is a much better manager with more respect from his players. He also should have played for England so a chance for the FA to redeem themselves. Allardyce’s football is pretty basic stuff that won’t stand up favourably against middling teams in Europe let alone Iceland or Wales.
but Steve Bruce looks like a dinner lady.
Plus he’s never won a major trophy as a manager.
Hang on … nor his Big Sam (unless you count the League of Ireland First Division.
Or Roy Hodgson. Then again, nor did Graham Taylor.
Best of a bad job? Big Sam is on a hiding to nothing, and at 61 it might be his last job anyway. If Steve Bruce were to fail as England manager (and they usually do) would he be able to comfortably continue in English Football
Corbyn.. Trump.. Leicester ..Sam. Despite being an ugly geezer who has no wish to travel or help anyone I’ve always fancied myself as Miss World.
Ooh, a tiara!
Fifer says
At my barber’s today, I was sat next to a Sunderland season ticket holder. He really doesn’t want Sam to go because he “really understands players and gets the best out of them”. However, he’ll happily take the £5m compo from the FA to buy some unknown South American’s left leg. As he (and you) said, “the FA could do much worse”.
For myself, I like the idea of a proper manager and not a “head coach”. Sam is pretty straightforward and is unlikely to tolerate the prima donnas who inhabit the England squad. Give him a go.
Jackthebiscuit says
FWIIW, its a deffo yes from me. He will sort the defence out if nothing else.
Rigid Digit says
And why not?
There are precious few English Managers with any pedigree available, and as a stop gap he might be worth a punt. And by association, one would assume that Kevin Nolan will likely be drafted in as Coach
Glenn Hoddle would be a fine choice (unfinished business etc), it could be a lot worse and the FA could’ve called in Neil Warnock.
Allardyce’s teams are well drilled, organised and prepared. Not always pretty, but effective.
More Steel than Silk, but would be a better game to watch than Woys habit of getting his teams to play sideways, and slowly, waiting for a gap to appear (or the opposition to fall asleep with boredom).
Statistically (in the Premier League) he’s second only to ‘Arry in the list of English Managers.
Let’s hope there is some sort of succession planned this time, so when the next incumbent goes (is forced out?) there is a ready made successor in waiting, rather than 3 months of media speculation
Bingo Little says
I don’t much care about the national team, so I’ll say yes, purely for the entertainment value.
I think it has massive potential for disaster though.
If I was making the appointment I’d be stood outside Slaven Balic’s house with a boom box over my head blasting Phil Collins.
Bamber says
As IrIsh West Ham fan, i couldn’t wait for him to depart Upton Park. He takes all the fun out of football. Even when he stumbled on a winning, entertaining combination of Sakho and Valencia up front, he refused to play them together again once his favourites Nolan and Carroll were fit (in the loosest sense of the word). His disdain for the fans might be an asset in the England job. I think his appointment has great comedy potential. The big positive might be Mark Noble finally getting the England cap he deserves.
Easterham says
I am also a West Ham fan, and I can only agree wholeheartedly with the above.
BFSA did absolutely everything that was asked of him in terms of results – promotion at the first attempt (just), a decent first season back in the Prem, where staying up and getting a foothold is all that counts, and then ensuring a bit of stability from which to progress. But, but, but, he did all this with an arrant disregard for the fans, a refusal to accept any responsibility for any failure, and in the end, a lack of sufficient wit or tactical acumen to actually build on the stability that he had established.
I think he would be a good appointment for England in the short to medium term in that he might give the current set up a good old fashioned kick up the arse, and he will be less inclined to be dazzled by “big club” big name players, past reputations, or tabloid favourites. All of which will in my view be an improvement not just on the woeful Hodgson, but on most of the England managers going back to Eriksson.
However, I’d be amazed if he actually won us anything.
But yes, he might just pick Mark Noble. Personally, I’d make Noble the England captain.
And Mr Little, please don’t even think of taking Super Slav anywhere – the very best thing to happen to West Ham in twenty years, and he’s just getting started.
duco01 says
“…he really really couldn’t do much worse than his predecessors, could he?”
Erm … well, he could certainly do a bit worse than Sir Alf Ramsey.
geacher says
Yeah good point… I maybe should have said “recent predecessors”?
geacher says
The Times guy, Daniel Finklestein, writes a “Think Tank” column on a Saturday, and a year or so ago he did a survey of statistics which compared points gained in the Premiership as a ratio or percentage to wages spent (or something like that, you get the picture), and Sir Alex came in first by a long way, Allerdicci was second.
I will tell you something tho’, if Engerlund are losing 2-1 to Iceland in any future competition, Fat Sam won’t be caught looking around from side to side like a lost soul (Eriksson), scribbling out notes like a demented fuckwit (McClaren), standing like a constipated statue (Capello) or gazing like a weasel caught in the headlights (the last one)…he’ll be up there, giving it big cojones.
Dave Ross says
Surely Big Sam not fat……… Anyway what I said a couple of weeks ago https://theafterword.co.uk/englands-new-manager/#comment-153490
Sitheref2409 says
This is the same who only narrowly avoided relegation last season?
That one? Who was beaten by Eddie Howe! And Bobby “sacked” Martinez? Whose might well have gone down if they hadn’t played a kiddie fiddler?
Using those criteria: it’s Pardew
count jim moriarty says
To be fair to BFS (and, as a Boro fan, that’s bloody difficult for me!), he did a remarkable job to keep the Mackems up, considering the utter shambles he inherited – you know you’re in trouble when your first choice centre-backs are John O’Shea and Wes Brown, and your midfield is lumbered with Lee ‘Red Card’ Cattermole.
Added to the fact that them staying up meant we could wave smugly at the Mags as we passed them on the way up.
Marwood says
A mediocre manager for a mediocre team – seems like a good fit, in that respect.
Dodger Lane says
Cannot stand the bumptiousness and arrogance of the man, but would be a good fit for England, though really couldn’t give a damn about the English national team. He has been effective up to a point, but just don’t expect England to start winning things. If nothing else, if he is appointed he will have to stop moaning about being pigeonholed and not having been given a chance. BTW, may be talking off the top of my head but have those allegations about dodgy transfer dealings been dealt with and dismissed ?
A final plea…can everyone stop referring to him as ‘Big Sam’. He’s not the first big boned ex-centre half who has put on a bit of suet since retiring.
Carl says
But isn’t this something of a comedown for a man who has opined he should be managing Real Madrid.
Fin59 says
Given our hurtle backward to the good old days of the 70s, he seems like the perfect choice.
Mike_H says
I expect them to carry on failing just as before. The whole setup is rotten to the core and the new manager will struggle to make any appreciable difference, because he’s got a near-impossible task to get the press, the team, the fans and the FA behind him. Everyone is clutching daggers, waiting to stab his back.
Luckily, the pay is pretty good, though..
Franco says
Ask yourself this. Would any European middle to top ranking national team even consider employing Allardyce as their coach. Of course not. Lichtenstein perhaps, San Marino maybe, England possibly……………..Oh Dear.
geacher says
Looks like I called right?
SteveT says
As far as I am concerned Bruce is a much better manager with more respect from his players. He also should have played for England so a chance for the FA to redeem themselves. Allardyce’s football is pretty basic stuff that won’t stand up favourably against middling teams in Europe let alone Iceland or Wales.
Rigid Digit says
but Steve Bruce looks like a dinner lady.
Plus he’s never won a major trophy as a manager.
Hang on … nor his Big Sam (unless you count the League of Ireland First Division.
Or Roy Hodgson. Then again, nor did Graham Taylor.
Best of a bad job? Big Sam is on a hiding to nothing, and at 61 it might be his last job anyway. If Steve Bruce were to fail as England manager (and they usually do) would he be able to comfortably continue in English Football
Sewer Robot says
Corbyn.. Trump.. Leicester ..Sam. Despite being an ugly geezer who has no wish to travel or help anyone I’ve always fancied myself as Miss World.
Ooh, a tiara!
Harry Tufnell says
I can’t help thinking that Sam is a little too northern to stand any chance with our London based (and obsessed) media.