West Ham manager Slaven Bilic says that he wants the supporters at the Boleyn Ground to give Sam Allardyce a warm reception when he returns to his former workplace with Sunderland.
Despite having a pretty good record as West Ham boss, the relationship between him and the fans was always tetchy during his four-year tenure at the club’s manager.
West Ham fans often complained about the style of play that the team were playing under Big Sam and it was this criticism that eventually led to the club deciding not to renew his contract at the end of last season.
However, speaking to ITV before the game between West Ham and Sunderland at the weekend, Bilic said that West Ham fans should appreciate the job that Allardyce did during his time in charge.
He said:
[The fans] should appreciate that he did great for West Ham, first and foremost. He took over West Ham in a moment when they were in the Championship and got them back straight away. He stabilised them in the Premier League and did an amazing job. The fans, and everyone connected with the club, should appreciate him. I don’t know what the fans think of him, but you can’t change the facts and the facts are in his favour, big time!
Bilic also said that anyone who criticises Big Sam will do so based on personal traits, not on the results he had. The Croatian also said that the club was in a very good state when he took over, thanks to Allardyce.
Whoever says differently, then it’s not business, it’s personal. Sam did a great job here. He left me an organised training ground, some key players, he made my job a bit easier – and I appreciate it. Do I think he will get a warm reception? I think so, and I hope so.
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