'Tedious Rumours' Were True Sam Departs FULL STORY
By Tyne-Talk
January 9 2008
Sam Allardyce has become the 8th manager to lose his job as a Premier League manager this season, the first of 2008. Speculation had been rising over when his turn to depart would be but reports were quashed by the club chairman Chris Mort, owener Mike Ashley and Sam himself.
Sam Allardyce is Newcastle United's 6th manager since Kevin Keegan departed from the club in 1997, since then the club have employed, Kenny Dalglish (1997-98), Ruud Gullit (1998-99), Sir Bobby Robson (1999-2004), Graeme Souness (2004-06), Glenn Roeder (2006-07) and now Sam Allardyce who was in place for just 8 months.
Newcastle chairman Chris Mort have the following statement:
"Mike and I would like to place on record our thanks for Sam's efforts and wish him well for the future. A new manager has not yet been appointed at Newcastle United. We will make a further announcement on the managerial position when appropriate."
Sam Allardyce said:
"I am disappointed to be leaving Newcastle United but I wish the club all the best for the remainder of the season and for the future."
The separation comes as no suprise to some but as a huge shock to others who genuinely believed that Big Sam would have been given at least a full season to turn the team around.
Unfortunately Allardyce was not a signing of current owner Mike Ashley but that of former chairman Freddy Shepherd, something which went against him in the media.
At 1pm this afternoon Allardyce spoke to the media after taking this morning's training session and again later this evening when asked if he had been sacked he appeared unaware of his imminent departure.
Just last week Chris Mort publically declared there was no truth in the rumours that Big Sam's future at Newcastle was in the balance:
"There's a different name every week and there's no truth in it. I find all this speculation tedious,"
In response Allardyce gave the followin statement:
"I do not have any worries or concerns as far as they (Mort and Ashley) are concerned.
The pressure that has been put on them as well as me, they understand it is outside influences trying to exert pressure on them. It is all part of the game."
With regards to the constant stories about Alan Shearer he said:
"It has always been there and it always will be. There is nothing more to say on the subject."
Shearer is now the bookies favourite to replace the 52 year old, but it is thought that the former number 9 has not been approached.
Sky Bet Odds:
Potential Manager | Odds | Potential Manager | Odds | Potential Manager | Odds |
A. Shearer | Evens | J. Klinnsmann | 16/1 | P. Ince | 20/1 |
M. Jol | 4/1 | Van Basten | 16/1 | S. McLaren | 25/1 |
H. Redknapp | 4/1 | B. Schuster | 16/1 | S. Bruce | 33/1 |
G. Houllier | 8/1 | M. Lippi | 16/1 | R. Keane | 33/1 |
M. Hughes | 12/1 | G. Strachan | 20/1 | K. Keegan | 50/1 |
G. Souness | 100/1 |
Sky reckons new manager will be English! Harry Redknapp maybe! (Not for me like)
more importantly, he will get respect in the dressing room because of his playing days!!
other than that, Mourinho would be ideal but very unlikely as he has an agreement with chelsea not to manage another english club til at least the end of this season!