Sam Allardyce has decided to appoint Sammy Lee to his staff at Goodison Park, despite his Liverpool past.
Sammy Lee assistant coach of Southampton
Everton have appointed Sam Allardyce as their new manager to replace Ronald Koeman. It comes after a lengthy period of hunting for the new boss at Goodison Park.
Big Sam does not come alone. He has brought with him his long-term companion Sammy Lee, which has brought with it a degree of controversy. Lee played at Liverpool from 1975 until 1986, after coming through the ranks at Anfield.
He then went on to join the club’s coaching staff from 1993 until heading to Bolton Wanderers to join up with Allardyce. He then headed back to Liverpool from 2008 until 2011 – so his links with the rival Merseyside club are extensive.
Sammy Lee (L) reacts with Sam Allardyce
This of course has left Everton fans very displeased with his arrival at the club.
It was a thought that had crossed the mind of previous Everton boss Ronald Koeman. The Dutchman considered bringing Lee with him from Southampton when he became Everton manager.
But, as Koeman explained at the time, he decided Lee would not be a suitable appointment.
“Sammy has such a great history as a Liverpool player that it was difficult to take him to Everton,” he wrote in De Telegraaf.
“Then I’ve looked at what I could do for Sammy, but I soon noticed that his Liverpool background was a problem. It was not Sammy as a person because they may really like him.”
Sam Allardyce, Manager of Crystal Palace talks to assistant Sammy Lee
Allardyce has clearly decided that the impact Lee can have on his coaching staff is worth the initial unhappiness from the Toffees’ supporters.
Just as long as he doesn’t wear red in the dugout, soon enough Lee will hopefully blend seamlessly into the woodwork at Goodison Park.
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