Sam Allardyce

Widely acknowledged within the game to be one of the most progressive and forward-thinking managers, Allardyce started his coaching career in 1991 at League of Ireland side Limerick. He then enjoyed two-year spells in charge of Blackpool and Notts County, where he won the Division Three title in 1998.

In 1999 he was appointed manager of Bolton Wanderers, the club he had first joined as a youth player, and under Allardyce’s stewardship the Trotters were promoted to the top flight in just his second season. Bolton remained in the Premier League throughout his reign, finishing runners-up in the 2004 Carling Cup and enjoying European competition for the first time in the club’s history.

After a spell in charge at Newcastle United, Allardyce joined Blackburn Rovers and guided the club to Premier League safety. His next challenge took him to West Ham and he had an immediate impact in his first season at Upton Park, winning the Championship play-off final in 2012 and leading the club into the Premier League.

He joined Sunderland in 2015 and subsequently he has enjoyed spells in charge of the England national team, Crystal Palace and Everton. He was appointed manager of West Brom in December 2020.