Big Sam vows to rid Hammers of ‘hangover’
Allardyce, 56, was yesterday unveiled as the Hammers’ new manager after succeeding Avram Grant.
The former Bolton, Newcastle and Blackburn boss acknowledged promotion is all the more crucial with the Hammers eventually set to move into the Olympic Stadium after next year’s Games – and knows there will be plenty of competition for the one of three coveted places.
“I have to instil a bit of discipline, magic and creativity, a bond among the players and staff to drive us on through a difficult season,” said Allardyce.
“Lots of big teams are spending a lot of money to achieve the same goal, so it will not be an easy task.
“I have got to get rid of the hangover which relegation brings to a football club and transform that into a positive as soon as I can.”
Allardyce has been quick to bring in Newcastle striker Kevin Nolan, and also Senegal defender Abdoulaye Faye from Stoke.
However, speculation continues that some of the clubs high earners will all move on.
“The speculation is around Rob Green, Carlton Cole and Scott Parker, and at the moment we haven’t had any concrete bids for those players.
“Other than that there is no rush to sell anyone else.
Allardyce hit back at criticism his team’s style would not fit into the ethos of the east London club.
“When did West Ham play the West Ham way?” he said.
“It can’t be the West Ham way if you get relegated, and the club’s been up and down like a yo-yo in recent years.”
Meanwhile Chris Hughton has been appointed as Birmingham’s new manager – just 10 days after Alex McLeish resigned to take charge of Aston Villa.
Former Newcastle boss Hughton was yesterday confirmed by the midlands club as McLeish’s replacement.
Hughton edged ahead of Roberto Di Matteo in the battle to take charge of the Carling Cup winners.
Hughton has been out of football since parting company with the Magpies after a 3-1 defeat at West Brom in early December.
He was appointed first team coach at Newcastle in 2008 and was appointed manager in October 2009.
But, despite guiding them to promotion, Hughton was sacked 14 months later.
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