Sam Allardyce And Rafa Benitez
Sam Allardyce insists he was ‘given assurances’ over West Bromwich Albion’s transfer budget before deciding to quit. Albion’s board wanted Allardyce to remain at The Hawthorns and help the club out of the Championship following relegation. But Allardyce announced he would be leaving following Albion’s defeat to West Ham United on Wednesday.
Sam Allardyce said: “I was given assurances over the budget. But irrespective of that, it’s me being a short term manager and not being a long term manager. That is my pigeon hole, it has been my pigeon hole for six, seven years now. I think when you are put in that pigeon hole you might as well stay there. That is what I see myself as now, as a saviour, as a trouble-shooter, as a Red Adaire – whatever you want to call it. I managed to accomplish that at many clubs prior to West Brom. I felt that I was going to accomplish it here, we did our best and got very close even if the points tally doesn’t show it. Certainly in the game, we got so close to winning enough to stay up but we didn’t quite make it. I didn’t expect us to be in this position because I was confident in my ability to do it again. But I haven’t.”
Allardyce only broke the news to Albion’s players in the dressing room after the West Ham game and takes charge of his final match against Leeds United at Elland Road on Sunday.
Sam Allardyce added: “It’s been a long, hard, decision. There has been a lot of thought, a lot of discussion. I have had to think about what is best for me and what is best for the club. That’s been put in the statement. We have worded that very carefully, both Luke and I chose our words very carefully. We didn’t want any blame pointed at anybody – it’s just a decision that has been made. Obviously, I am flattered the club wanted me to stay on. At this moment in time I am stepping down after Leeds United. I am disappointed that I haven’t done better, that I haven’t done more for the team. But I would also like to thank all the players and everybody behind the scenes for their commitment and their dedication to try and get us out of this difficult position. We haven’t quite made it. I have to accept that. But the future of the club will be bouncing back as quickly as possible I hope.”
