Allardyce to Sunderland story ‘simply nonsense’

BOLTON chairman Phil Gartside insists Sam Allardyce will not be joining Sunderland.

There has been speculation that Allardyce is one of the targets for the Championship club’s incoming chairman Niall Quinn. The Bolton boss has seen his team finish eighth, sixth and eighth in the last three seasons and take a firm foothold in the top flight.

Gartside is baffled at reports Allardyce may drop down a division. He told the Bolton Evening News: “It is nonsense to suggest Sam would even consider leaving Bolton to go to Sunderland.