Sam Allardyce was at Old Trafford in April. (Image: Getty)
After the news broke that Erik ten Hag had been sacked by Manchester United, fans are already speculating over who’ll be named his successor. The likes of Xavi, Gareth Southgate, and Ruben Amorim are leading the betting with the bookies, with Ruud van Nistelrooy taking temporary charge until a full-time appointment is confirmed.
However, supporters are now joking that only one man is capable of turning United’s stuttering Premier League season around.
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Rather than craving the stylistic approach of a former Barcelona boss or a man who led England to two international tournament finals, a humorous clamour is growing for English football’s most famous firefighter.
Sam Allardyce has been out of work since his ill-fated four game stint in charge of Leeds United at the end of the 2022/23 season. The 70-year-old got tongues wagging in April though, when he was spotted at Old Trafford alongside INEOS chiefs.
Allardyce watched the 2-2 home draw to Liverpool, ironically one of the club’s better performances under Ten Hag. The former Bolton boss sat in the director’s box alongside Sir Alex Ferguson, and was also seen conversing with Dave Brailsford and minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
‘Big Sam’ is a long-term associate of Ferguson, and has previously watched matches with the legendary Scot. But now fans on social media have jokingly called for him to return to the club and sit in a very different seat.
Allardyce has been out of football since leaving Leeds. (Image: Getty)
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Referencing United currently sitting 14th in the table, @wardeysco. said: “I hear Sam Allardyce is available.. he is good at getting clubs out of relegation battles.” @Best_Damn_Ref added: “When you want to stay up in the PL... Call 'Big Sam' Allardyce.”
@neo2992 echoed similar sentiments, writing: “Sam Allardyce till the end of the season! He can save us from relegation!! Want to see peak relegation ball at OT.” And despite Allardyce not publicly stating he wants to return to management, @Nick_Pettigrew posted: “Sam Allardyce is still looking for work. That’s all I’m saying.”
The majority of the comments were in jest, but the Red Devils are currently reeling from their worst ever start to a Premier League campaign. They lie lie just seven points clear of the bottom three following Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to West Ham.
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Allardyce has taken charge of 12 clubs during his career, and up until the 2020/21 campaign, had never been relegated. However, that season he was unable to save West Brom from going down after being appointed in December, before his short stint with Leeds two years later.
He’d previously been dubbed ‘Fireman Sam’ for his ability to get teams out of trouble. At Bolton, he was revered by fans after being at the helm from 1999 to 2007, a period during which he led the club into the Premier League and European football.
