Profile
Sam Allardyce, aka Big Sam, is one of the most experienced gaffers in English football, having managed a whole host of clubs since moving into the dugout out way back in the early 1990s.
Big Sam took charge of a record eighth Premier League club - West Brom - in December 2020 following the sacking of Slaven Bilic.
Allardyce was given an early Christmas present in 2016 as he was named the successor to Alan Pardew at Crystal Palace who was sacked the day before. Big Sam saved the club from the dreaded drop, then drew the curtains on his managerial career at the end of the season.
Allardyce left the England job by mutual consent following a newspaper 'sting' which left his position untenable. Allardyce had swapped Sunderland in order to take charge of the England national team, but managed only 67 days in the job with the one win from one game.
Allardyce's first position came as player-manager of Irish side Limerick, which was followed by spells at Preston (caretaker), Blackpool, Notts County, and then Bolton - the club he is most closely associated with.
After eight years in charge of the Trotters had had spells at Newcastle, Blackburn, and West Ham - leading the latter up to the Championship at the first time of asking.
Allardyce's greatest achievement was leading unfancied Bolton to a 6th place finish, which brought European football at The Reebok Stadium for the first time. Big Sam has also been crowned the Premier League Manager of the Month on numerous occasions.
