Sam Allardyce is back in the big time. Will the Premier League’s perennial escape artist work his magic with West Brom after an 18-month sabbatical?
New West Brom manager Sam Allardyce at his announcement at the Hawthorns stadium on the 17th December 2020.
The phone rings. A 66-year-old burly figure checks his Caller ID; it’s not Soccer Aid: that’s odd? He answers. It’s West Bromwich Albion – they need a new manager. That man is Sam Allardyce.
West Brom didn’t muck around. For a club 19th in the league with one win in 13, they knew exactly what they wanted. It was a shortlist on a postage stamp, with two words etched onto the back of the Queen’s printed head: ‘Big Sam’.
It wasn’t to be for Slaven Bilic. When rumours about his future swirled after a very good 1-1 draw away at Manchester City, there was a strong feeling his days were numbered.
You only need to look back five years and Bilic was the man West Ham United earmarked as the ideal replacement for Allardyce. Now, it’s Allardyce’s chance to make amends for the Croat’s torrid start. It’s funny how things work out.
Born less than six miles from The Hawthorns in Dudley, Allardyce is back where it all began. In 1989, the then budding manager took his first coaching steps under Brian Talbot at West Brom.
Thirty-one years later and here we are again. The circle of life at its finest.
On paper, this appears a nice fit. West Brom have no real attacking identity and the league’s leakiest defence. Perfect for Big Sam to make an instant impact with his clean-sheet-at-all-costs mantra.
He also has some tidy talent in the ranks. Sam Johnstone, Matheus Pereira, Grady Diangana, Darnell Furlong and Chelsea loanee Conor Gallagher have shown real promise. Add to that list seasoned pros like Branislav Ivanovic, Kieran Gibbs, Charlie Austin and Jake Livermore and you have the makings of a squad capable of survival.
Former West Bromwich Albion manager (seen here at a training session with Stuart Pearson in 1988) gave Sam Allardyce his first job in football coaching
And, when it comes to surviving, there are few better at steadying a ship. There’s proof in the pudding: seven teams managed, zero relegations.
In December 2008, he joined 19th-placed Blackburn Rovers and guided them to 15th – finishing 10th the season after.
He led West Ham to instant promotion from the Championship via the play-offs, and finishes of 10th, 13th and 12th followed.
Sunderland were also 19th when he took over in October 2015 and they survived in 17th.
Then, following a disastrous end to his 100%-win record as England manager after one game, he lifted relegation pressure off Crystal Palace to 14th in a brief spell before securing Everton an eighth-placed finish from 13th in 2018.
The late Harry Houdini would be proud of such escapist feats.
In Big Sam, the Baggies have an experienced campaigner with a tried-and-tested method. I mean, he’s already appointed Sammy Lee as his assistant manager. Big Sam and Little Sammy are back in the dugout. The plan is already in motion; the tried-and-tested band is being assembled.
Just ask West Brom’s sporting and technical director, Luke Dowling.
“In Sam we have a man who has a proven Premier League pedigree with a track record of improving every club he has managed,” said Dowling.
“We believe and, more importantly Sam believes, we have a group of players that have the quality needed to give the club its best chance of Premier League survival.”
Up first is a mouth-watering West Midlands derby against Aston Villa. A Wolves fan at heart, Allardyce will be relishing this fixture more than any other. Especially given Villa’s position in the league and their significant financial backing in comparison.
It may be the perfect springboard. Little motivation is needed to ignite desire and passion into the hearts of his players on derby day. It’ll be tactical tweaks: sure up the defence and don’t concede sloppy goals. Three points on Sunday and that’s one small step for Big Sam; we’ll have to wait and see if it’ll be one giant leap too.
Survive or die might be a tad strong here. But the break clause in his contract at the end of the season applies a smattering of sadness to this appointment. If Big Sam were to fail at the umpteenth time of asking, this could be his final swan song. His last dance. Cast to the annals of Premier League history as a bridesmaid without a major trophy.
Survive, however, and a tidy seven-figure bonus will come his way. It’ll be raining pie, chips and gravy from West Brom’s local chippy and Big Sam’s paying.
