Sam Allardyce slams Everton board for sack decision amid ‘brave’ verdict
Sam Allardyce has claimed the Everton board “weren’t brave enough” to keep him as manager due to the pressure from Toffees fans.
Speaking on the No Tippy Tappy Football Podcast (3 October), the former Toffees boss claimed he could have taken the side close to the European spots if he was not dismissed after six months in May 2018.
Everton fans were heavily critical of the former England manager’s tactics and his side’s performances on the pitch, being frequently booed at full-time towards the end of his tenure.
Allardyce said: “The old stigma at Everton got rid of me in the end. We only played the way we played because of the quality of players. Over the years, I’m experienced enough to know this is what the players are capable of and this is how we’re going to set out.
“We lost two at home in the entire time we were there, but there’s that word in the press when they start niggling and then the bubble starts getting bigger and bigger. In the end, the fact that the fan reaction is taken by your owners and that was the reason why I got sacked – not by the amount of points I accumulated.
“But they just weren’t brave enough to stick with us. If they had stuck with us I would have them close to Europe.”
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Interesting take
Allardyce clearly backed himself during his tenure at Goodison Park, but even the most optimistic of Everton fans would not have bet on their side reaching the European spaces under Big Sam.
That being said, the fanbase would certainly take Everton’s eighth-place spot that season over the struggles they’re facing now, with Allardyce’s table finish yet to be bettered.
The former Crystal Palace boss has had little managerial success since his stint in Merseyside, with his tenures at West Brom and Leeds United both ending in relegation. While he was perhaps something of a bullet dodged, he does speak to the power the fanbase has over managerial decisions.
There were plenty of reasons why the hierarchy took the decision to depart with Allardyce, namely the style of play. During his time at the club, Everton were ranked 20th in the Premier League for shots, 19th for shots on target and 17th for shots faced [Sky Sports Statto]. No wonder a change of direction was sought.
Everton fans would have hoped for a more prosperous change than what they’ve witnessed since 2018, but at least under Sean Dyche, it’s all more interesting to watch.
In other Everton news, 777 needs to veto fresh Goodison Park talks to complete a behind-the-scenes deal amid controversy at a Premier League rival.
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