Wednesday 1 June 2011

Allardyce Confirmed at West Ham United

Sam Allardyce

West Ham United have confirmed former Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce as their new manager, after lengthy discussions with the club's co-owners David Gold and David Sullivan.

Allardyce will be presented officially as boss on Wednesday.

"It is an honour to be the new manager of West Ham United,'' he told the West Ham website. ''It is a fantastic club with a great tradition and loyal supporters who deserve to be in the Premier League. I can't wait to begin pre-season training as I am determined to get this club back where it belongs.

"I wouldn't have taken this job if I didn't think we could bounce straight back into the Premier League. More than that, I wouldn't have contemplated the job if I didn't think there was the opportunity to build something substantial at West Ham."

The Hammers sacked Avram Grant last month at the minute relegation to the Championship was confirmed with a game to spare, and a number of names, such as Dave Jones, Neil Warnock and Malky Mackay had all been touted. However, upon his appointment, Allardyce claimed he was excited to take the challenge.

"There is a core of very talented young players at the club who've come up through the youth system, have West Ham in their blood and who I know I can build a successful team around,'' he said. "That's what I'm looking forward to, managing a club that wins more games than it loses and competing at the top of the table. We need to create a winning mentality and give the fans a team they can be proud to watch."

"I know there will be West Ham fans asking whether I'm going to abandon the style of play that's been the club's heritage over the years. All I'll say is it will be a tale of home and away. At Upton Park we'll attempt to play the kind of passing game the fans want. We will aim to continue in the same way on our travels but we'll also be tough, hard to beat and utterly resilient."


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