Allardyce named as West Ham boss

Allardyce was sacked as Blackburn boss in December

Sam Allardyce has taken over as manager of West Ham, following their relegation to the Championship.

The former Blackburn, Newcastle and Bolton boss replaces Avram Grant who was sacked after their relegation from the Premier League with one game left.

“It’s a fantastic club with a great tradition and loyal supporters,” said Allardyce.

“I wouldn’t have taken this job if I didn’t think we could bounce straight back into the Premier League.”

West Ham caretaker manager Kevin Keen, who took charge for the last game of the season, a 3-0 home defeat by Sunderland, had stated his desire to lead them in the Championship.

However, Keen has no formal managerial experience, apart from looking after West Ham’s reserve team.

Allardyce, 56, says he intends to sign several players with the intention of securing promotion and has pledged to install a ‘winning mentality’ at Upton Park.

“I couldn’t have contemplated the job if I didn’t think there was the opportunity to build something substantial at West Ham,” he added.

Allardyce was surprisingly sacked from his role as Blackburn manager in December after three defeats in five games, with Rovers 13th in the Premier League, five points above the relegation zone.

The Lancashire club slipped deeper into the relegation battle following Allardyce’s exit and only guaranteed another season in the top flight by beating Wolves 3-2 at Molineux on the final day of the campaign.