With Everton’s search for a new manager finally at an end, it has come to no surprise who they have turned to.
Sam Allardyce was touted for the job for weeks and met the club before ending his interest (contract length the stumbling block). But after the failure of landing their main target, Marco Silva, Everton have agreed a deal for Allardyce to take over.
Although having initial success in never been relegated from the Premier League, is Allardyce the right choice for Everton?
Never have been relegated
The primary objective for Allardyce and Everton is keeping the club in the Premier League.
Since the sacking of Ronald Koeman over a month ago, Everton’s performance have not improved and in fact receded under caretaker boss David Unsworth. The club are shipping goals in and do not have a recognised forward to score the much needed goals the club requires.
With the acquisition of Allardyce, the club have found the man to turn their fortunes around.
Big Sam is known for keeping poor teams in the Premier League, with the likes of Bolton, Blackburn, West Ham, Sunderland and Crystal Palace all benefiting from it. Sunderland was regarded his greatest accomplishment as the Black Cats seemed dead and buried until the final weeks of the season, where Allardyce turned the clubs fortunes around and kept them up.
This is something Everton require in the short term as the club have never been out of the top flight and while spending around 140 million pounds in the summer, it seemed unthinkable for them at the start of the season.
Top jobs too big for Sam?
Though Everton will be Sam Allardyce biggest club job to date, he has been in this position before without any success.
In 2007, Allardyce left Bolton to manage Newcastle United. At the time, the club were regarded a top side in the Premier League and expected to challenge for European football. Despite spending big and an impressive start, Big Sam failed to deliver and was sacked in the New Year.
Allardyce greatest and shortest job was his ill-fated one game spell as England boss. It was a dream come true when Sam Allardyce was named the Three Lions coach and was optimistic he would succeed.
However, Allardyce left his position after the 2016 English football scandal, which showed him giving advice of getting around FA rules. Although his failing at England was not down to his performances but off the field issues, Allardyce will feel he needs to prove that he is capable of managing the top jobs in English football.
Style of play issues?
Though the appointment of Big Sam will bring some relief to the Everton board, Allardyce style of play differs from his predecessors.
Allardyce is known for his long ball plays and giving up possession, something that coaches such as Jose Mourinho labelling “19th century football”. Despite his criticisms, Allardyce uses this style to its full effect as he has prevented average teams from getting relegated.
However, the Everton board will not too pleased if Big Sam continues his style throughout his reign as Toffees boss. Under Roberto Martinez and Ronald Koeman, Everton played attractive football with fast passing and possession gained game.
Although this style led to both managers losing their jobs, the Everton faithful will not be pleased if they have to watch the long ball technique week in, week out.
Verdict
The appointment of Big Sam is good in the short term.
Allardyce will introduce a strong minded defence, which will assist in keeping the club up, while bringing balance in the dressing room. However, in the long term, Everton should be searching for a man who will follow the clubs philosophy and bringing the good days back to Goodison.
But for now, Big Sam is the man to keep Everton up.
Written by James Reidy
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