
Sam Allardyce
Sam Allardyce
Sam Allardyce, aka Big Sam, last took on the role of the manager of Leeds United following the sacking of Javi Gracia on 3rd May 2023, after just 71 days in charge, his task was to save the club from relegation, a task he failed and his short contract only lasted for 4 games.
He 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 but was unable to keep them in the Premier League and left at the end of the season.
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. 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.
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 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.
He's also managed Sunderland, Crystal Palace, and Everton.