Sam Allardyce’s time at Newcastle United was short-lived, lasting just six months before being dismissed by club owner Mike Ashley. His arrival at St James’ Park was quickly overshadowed by Ashley’s unexpected takeover just eight days into Allardyce’s tenure—a development he later described as sealing his fate from the outset. Under his leadership, the team struggled with uninspiring performances and sat in mid-table, prompting Ashley to make a change. The turbulence continued at Newcastle, with even Kevin Keegan managing only a few months before the club’s decline culminated in relegation, highlighting the chaotic nature of the Sports Direct era.
Following his exit from Newcastle, Allardyce went on to manage several Premier League clubs, including a spell at Sunderland in 2015. That tenure also proved brief, ending in 2016 when the Football Association offered him the England job—a role he infamously held for only one match. Despite his connection to Sunderland, Allardyce recently caused a stir by overlooking both Sunderland and Leeds United when asked about the most passionate fanbases he had experienced. Instead, he praised the supporters of Newcastle, Everton, and West Ham, citing the sheer volume and size of their followings. Recalling the 2012 Championship play-off final, he noted the deafening support from 65,000 West Ham fans at Wembley as a standout moment.
In a surprising revelation, Allardyce once came close to returning to Newcastle United in 2019 as a potential successor to Rafa Benítez. He admitted feeling honored by the consideration but ultimately declined the opportunity, stating that it never progressed to formal discussions. According to Allardyce, he evaluated the situation and respectfully turned down the offer, emphasizing that he wasn’t keen on revisiting a previous chapter in his managerial career.
Reflecting on his time at Sunderland, Allardyce revealed that he had intended to remain at the club before the unexpected England offer came along. Speaking in 2020, he shared how he and then-owner Ellis Short had met to map out plans for the upcoming season. Allardyce expressed respect for Short, citing their candid and direct communication as the foundation of their working relationship. He was fully committed to building something at Sunderland until the England opportunity—one he hadn’t anticipated—suddenly changed his course.
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