Big Sam is back in the Premier League!
Sam Allardyce has been named as the new manager of West Bromwich Albion, following the sacking of Slaven Bilic on Wednesday.
The 66-year-old, from Dudley, has rejoined the side where he started his coaching career, after joining as a player-coach in 1989 and leading the reserve side.
Allardyce hasn't managed since his spell at Everton in 2017/18. The former England boss took over with the club in relegation trouble but led them to eighth at the end of the season and the Baggies will be hoping he can do the same for them.
Bilic took over at the Hawthorns in June 2019 and managed to get the side back up into the Premier League in his first season, finishing runners up to Leeds United.
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The Croatian signed a few players to boost his squad for their return to the top tier but the thinking was that they hadn't spent enough to improve the side to the desired quality.
This season has suggested as much, with the Baggies only able to win one game in their opening 13 games of the season, as well as losing to Championship side Brentford in the Carabao Cup.
Rumours are that the loss against Newcastle United at the weekend sealed the manager's fate and the impressive 1-1 draw to Pep Guardiola's Manchester City on Tuesday did nothing to prolong his time in the midlands.
Allardyce is often criticised for his style of football, and is likely to take a more pragmatic approach to get results, but there is definitely success in his methods.
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Whilst he hasn't always avoided relegation, he got Notts County relegated in his first season with them after arriving with the club already in trouble in January, he does have a history of avoiding it.
After taking over from Colin Todd at Bolton Wanderers, following their relegation from the Premier League, he took the north west side back into the top tier.
He remained in the Premier League with the side for eight years and even reached the knockout stages of the Europa League with them, before moving to Newcastle United.
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The former defender also saved Sunderland from the drop in the 2015/16 season with some late heroics but his time at the Stadium of Light was short lived as he took the England job.
He later pulled off further survival seasons with Crystal Palace and Everton when taking the jobs mid season.
Can Allardyce do the impossible again and this time keep West Brom from the Championship?
Featured Image Credit: PATopics:ย Manchester City, Football News, West Bromwich Albion, Big Sam, Sam Allardyce, Slaven Bilic, Premier League, West Brom, Transfer news
