Sam Allardyce managed Newcastle United for just six months before being sacked by Mike Ashley.
Sam Allardyce has snubbed Sunderland by naming Newcastle United, Everton and West Ham United as the best supporters out of any club he managed.
A brief stint at St James' Park saw the 70-year-old last just six months in the hot seat before being replaced. Allardyce has always claimed that he was doomed from the start as Mike Ashley bought the club eight days into his reign.
In truth, the football was grim and the Magpies languished in mid-table before Ashley pulled the trigger. Keegan also lasted just nine months - with relegation following at the end of the season - as Newcastle spiralled out of control under the Sports Direct tycoon.
Allardyce went on to manage several Premier League clubs before joining Sunderland in 2015. A brief spell at the Stadium of Light ended the following year when he was approached by the FA, infamously lasting just one game.
Sam Allardyce snubs Sunderland and Leeds United
Reflecting on a long managerial career, Allardyce named Newcastle, Everton and West Ham - not Sunderland or Leeds - as the clubs with the best supporters. He told TAG Sports: “I think all fans are passionate, but Newcastle, Everton, West Ham because they’ve got the biggest support. When you’ve got the biggest support you’ve got the loudest noise.
“I managed West Ham at Wembley in the play-off final against Blackpool and there must’ve been 65,000 West Ham fans and only 20,000 Blackpool fans, but the noise was deafening.”
Sam Allardyce almost returned to Newcastle United
Allardyce previously admitted to almost succeeding Rafa Benitez at Newcastle in 2019. He said at the time: "I was very flattered that I was considered but it's that thing... don't go back. It never got to the type of talks people are suggesting - but it wasn't for me. I politely said 'no'.
"I never got to talk to Mike (Ashley). My agent contacted me, I had a think about it and a quick look at the situation and thanked them very much but it's not for me. Maybe if it was the first time around I would have jumped at it. I appreciate the offer but I was surprised.”
Sam Allardyce surprised by England offer
Sunderland - promoted to the Premier League for the first time since 2017 - began their plight following Allardyce’s exit a year earlier. He became England boss but was preparing for another year on Wearside.
“I would have stayed,” he said in 2020. “I met with Ellis before the England job came up and I had not even the faintest hope of being the England manager that season. I had not even an inclination that there would be a chance for me to acquire that position.
"Me and Ellis had met privately in London and I am a big man on sitting together and getting everything out in the open. Ellis is a straight talker and so am I so that was probably why we had a mutual respect for each other. We hammered out the plan for the next season.”
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