Big Sam spent a year at Limerick FC in the early 1990s and was today unveiled as the latest man to try and achieve whatever it is that’s considered success with England. “I’ll have that approach in this job”.
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The Wearside club has been swift in appointing David Moyes as their new manager and while Mannone has expressed his gratitude for the work Allardyce did, the former Arsenal ‘keeper is unnerved by any uncertainty surrounding the club that has had five managers in the past three years.
Allardyce has often been associated as a manager that plays a direct style of football but wants his players to show flexibility under his tutelage.
Steve McClaren was chosen ahead of him after Allardyce was interviewed in 2006 – but this time he has been given the chance, and he insists he is ready for the challenge.
“I think that choosing styles or systems depends on the players available and then who we’re playing”, he said.
“He’s 40 or 50 games short of 1,000 games now so he has all the experience you could want and I think he’ll help the national team get our identity back”.
“We feel we have some really good squads of players – we had the youngest squad at the Euros”.
“I’m hardened over many, many years”.
“Working with the England elite players will be very exciting for me because they will take on board ideas very quickly”.
“It’s far too early to make any predictions”.
“It would be an honour to work with England but my focus is all on making sure Southend prepare as well as possible for the new season”. Allardyce, whose only piece of silverware came at the beginning of his managerial career with an Irish League title at Limerick City, couldn’t hide his joy after at last getting the job he had coveted all his long managerial career. I’m here because I think I can make the team better, and I think I’m tough enough to take it.
Allardyce said on Monday he “fits the chair” and can turn around the country’s fortunes after a torrid Euro 2016 exit.
“I would like to get round everybody and make some contact and hear their thoughts, ” he said.
He said: “I’m going to leave that until we get all the players together, and get all the coaching staff together before the internationals in September”. “I am hardened over many years”, he said “You take the good with the bad or don’t bother”.
“There is no lack of passion, I don’t see that anywhere from the players”, Allardyce refuted.
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“In terms of winning no trophies or cups, unfortunately, as an English manager I never got to go right to the top of the Premier League”.
