Sam Allardyce has revealed his pick for the ‘most annoying’ football manager he ever shared a touchline with during his 31-year career in the Premier League. Over that time, ‘Big Sam’ earned a reputation as the ultimate survival specialist, consistently taking on jobs that came with immediate jeopardy.
In fact, the 71-year-old famously maintained an unbeaten record in relegation battles across 15 seasons, helping steer clubs such as Bolton Wanderers, Blackburn Rovers, Sunderland, and Crystal Palace away from danger - often by relying on a safe, direct, and defensively focussed approach to turn form around.
For that reason, Allardyce himself could easily be considered among the most frustrating managers in Premier League history, given how often his pragmatic style disrupted opponents chasing success. However, when making his own choice, he focused purely on touchline antics - and there was no hesitation in his answer.
EPL_Best PL Managers Related
25 Greatest Managers in Premier League History Ranked
The Premier League's greatest managers of all time have been ranked in order.
Allardyce Didn't Hesitate When Naming 'Most Annoying' Manager He Faced
Everton manager Sam Allardyce looks on
Appearing on a recent episode of 'The Good, the Bad, and the Football' podcast, Paddy McGuinness wanted to know who Allardyce felt was the most annoying manager to share the touchline with. Expecting a more considered answer, the one-time England manager had clearly already thought about his answer previously. He said (watch the full segment below):
"Rafa[el Benitez]. I had a lot of fall outs with Rafa and Arsene Wenger, but [I have] total respect for them as managers and what they have achieved, so it wasn't anything else, but I just can't be doing what they try to do to me. Try do something to me, and you're not going to win. Or I'm going to try not to let you win. I'm going for you."
After Paul Scholes mentioned Benitez had previously said something about Allardyce's long-ball tactics, the inactive manager - having last had a short stint with Leeds United in 2023 - recalled that the Spaniard once made a two-hour video complaining about it. He also then put the former Liverpool boss on blast for the contradictions he made about time-wasting, claiming every manager did it.
Rafael Benitez's Time in the Premier League
rafael benitez manager
With time-wasting back in vogue in the Premier League this season, Rafael Benitez would no doubt have found a few more managers to wind up - that much feels certain. The Spaniard was never everyone’s cup of tea (just ask Allardyce or Jose Mourinho, with whom he shared plenty of fiery touchline battles over the years).
But for what he achieved with Liverpool in the 2005 Champions League final, Benitez will always be a legend on the red half of Merseyside. His spells at Newcastle United and Everton never quite lived up to those lofty standards, though his struggles at Goodison Park were viewed by some Reds fans with a sense of irony - as if his brief tenure there somehow worked in Liverpool’s favour.
Captain Steven Gerrard and manager Rafael Benitez of Liverpool
ISTANBUL, TURKEY - MAY 25: Captain Steven Gerrard and manager Rafael Benitez of Liverpool lift the trophy after the ceremony following the UEFA Champions League final between AC Milan and Liverpool at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium on May 25, 2005 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)
The 66-year-old’s Premier League record is distinguished yet mixed. Across six seasons at Liverpool (2004-2010), he posted an impressive 55% win rate and came closest to the title with a second-place finish in 2008/09. He later took charge of Chelsea in an interim role, as well as Newcastle and Everton, recording a 58% win rate at Chelsea and 43% at Newcastle.
His time with the Toffees, however, lasted just 22 games, yielding a 32% win rate and only one victory in his final 13 league matches - bringing a turbulent chapter to a swift end.