St James’ Park

Sam Allardyce’s managerial journey has seen no shortage of twists, but few chapters were as turbulent as his time at Newcastle United. Arriving just days before Mike Ashley’s takeover, Allardyce later admitted he felt doomed from the outset. His stint lasted a mere six months, marred by uninspiring performances and mid-table stagnation, before Ashley pulled the plug. Years later, reflecting on the most passionate fanbases he’d encountered, Allardyce raised eyebrows by naming Newcastle, Everton, and West Ham—snubbing Sunderland and Leeds United despite his former ties. “When you’ve got the biggest support, you’ve got the loudest noise,” he told TAG Sports.