The Black Cats have had to perform miracles to keep themselves in the division at times, and last season’s late heroics summed up their recent fortunes.
Advertisement
But I played with Jermain Defoe down the middle on his own at 5ft 10in past year.
Allardyce, who helped save Sunderland from English Premier League (EPL) relegation last season, succeeds Roy Hodgson after a disappointing Euro 2016 campaign.
Allardyce’s only experience outside England is in the now-defunct UEFA Cup with Bolton, where he spent eight years.
“No, it is far too early to make predictions in that area”, the former Sunderland boss was quoted as saying by Sky Sports at his first press conference since being formally announced as the out-of-contract Hodgson’s successor on Friday (22 July).
There have been questions as to whether the former West Ham United and Sunderland boss will be able to create attractive and attacking football.
“I have to thank everybody at Sunderland for the opportunity”.
“If I’m honest I thought he would get it sooner than he has but he’s done a great job for a long time and he’s the right choice”.
He really believes. It was [an] very bad exit but there were quite a few good things in the tournament.
Allardyce also said that selecting a captain for the England team is way down on the list of priorities.
“Hopefully I’ll be as successful as I have been at other clubs – and I started at Limerick by the way!” I don’t want to spend too much time on the past, I want to think about the future and improve the young, elite players.
Sunderland fans were more grateful after he took over last October with the team bottom but one in the Premier League and steered them to safety as bitter local rivals Newcastle United were relegated instead. “I fit the chair, I hope I do and I have the experience to pass on and to challenge the team and myself the five Premier League club has given me a huge experience, no-one else has done that”.
As well as creating a strong personal bond with his players, Allardyce signalled his intention to surround himself with a backroom team of experts.
“The pressure on players at worldwide level we will be looking at in depth”, said the 61-year-old, who lost out to Steve McClaren for the job 10 years ago.
Advertisement
“I’ve obviously never worked with him but I’ve spoken to people who have who say he’s the right man for the job”.
