• Premier League

Allardyce must earn new Hammers deal

Harry Harris
September 30, 2012
Sam Allardyce is in the final year of his West Ham deal © Getty Images
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Sam Allardyce will be handed a lucrative new contract at West Ham United if he can consolidate the club's position in the Premier League, ESPN has learned.

Allardyce, who steered West Ham back into the top flight at the first time of asking last season, is in the final year of his current deal and will only be given the chance to extend his tenure if he can ensure the Hammers stay clear of relegation.

David Gold and David Sullivan, the West Ham co-owners, have struggled to reduce the £100 million debt they inherited when taking over the club in 2010 and cannot afford to spend next season outside the Premier League.

In an interview with The Observer, Allardyce has said he is hoping for a two-year extension to his contract and the chance to manage the team at the Olympic Stadium.

"I'd love to see the fans into the Olympic Stadium, and I'd like to walk them out there," he said.

Allardyce's brand of football has often been seen to be at odds with the "West Ham way" but he does not feel there has been any significant opposition to his management.

"Well, I don't think the fans did give me a hard time [over the year], apart from certain pockets of fans on certain occasions," he said. "Occasionally there were fans who were upset and disgruntled but a lot less than Avram [Grant]. Avram got far more stick than I did. And Alan Curbishley got a lot of stick when he was here, and he was one of their own.

"I get no more stick than Gianfranco Zola, and Avram Grant, Harry Redknapp. I know because I spoke to all them. I didn't speak to Avram actually, because I couldn't get hold of him, but, yeah, if you don't do it right here you get stick, I accept that. But you get stick everywhere. That's the nature of the industry now.

"Contrary to what any media say, fans at West Ham are interested in the passion of the player and the commitment of the player, rather than all that pretty football stuff."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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