Jeff Stelling has said on the Gillette Soccer Saturday show on Sky Sports News (2:04pm, October 23, 2021) that Newcastle United fans will not like it if Sam Allardyce returns to St. James’ Park.
The Soccer Saturday presenter made the comments when it was suggested on the show that Allardyce would not be a bad managerial appointment for Newcastle at the moment.
The Magpies are on the hunt for a new manager following the departure of Steve Bruce.
Newcastle, acquired by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) this month, are in danger of getting relegated to the Championship.
Allardyce was in charge of the Magpies in 2007-08 and is without a managerial job at the moment.
Soccer Saturday chat
Former Tottenham Hotspur central defender Michael Dawson said: “I think whoever comes in needs to know the Premier League.”
Kris Boyd said: “Like Sam?
Dawson responded: “Do you know what? It wouldn’t be so bad. Keep them up.”
Stelling said: “Come on, let’s keep this serious. I love Sam, I love Sam, but he has been there before, he is not going back again.
“Newcastle fans, if you thought they were toxic towards Steve Bruce, if Sam went back again, they would be super toxic.”
Spot-on
In our view, Stelling is absolutely right about Allardyce and Newcastle fans.
We do not think that any Newcastle fan would want ‘Big Sam’ back at St. James’ Park.
Now, of course, we know the Englishman’s managerial pedigree.
The 67-year-old is a very good and experienced manager who knows how to keep struggling teams in the Premier League.
However, the former Newcastle and Sunderland manager’s footballing style is not particularly pleasing to the eye.
Now that Newcastle have new owners, the fans would like to see an ambitious manager who can take the team forward.
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