Sam Allardyce aims to be Sunderland's £100m man as he looks to create 'positive memories'

New Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce has agreed a two-year deal with up to £10million in bonuses

TWENTY FIVE years ago Sam Allardyce called his Sunderland signing ‘a snip at the price’ after joining as a no nonsense defender from Bolton Wanderers.

It was a confident statement considering he cost £150,000 – big money back in July 1980.

This time around in his managerial guise Big Sam’s return to Wearside comes at a somewhat greater cost, his two year deal which includes bonuses worth up to £10 million.

But for anxious Sunderland owner Ellis Short who has just made his sixth managerial appointment in four years it will be money well spent if the Black Cats maintain their endangered Premier League status.

With a new bumper TV deal kicking in from the start of next season a place amongst the elite next August will be worth a minimum £100 million.

Allardyce who will meet the Sunderland players for the first time tomorrow has been assured he is in charge of recruitment with Short giving the former West Ham boss the title of manager as opposed to head coach.

Current sporting director Lee Congerton is working his notice and Big Sam wants to bring in his own recruitment people led by Martyn Glover who was with Allardyce at West Ham but who has since moved onto Championship side Leeds United.

 

llardyce is Sunderland owner Ellis Short's sixth managerial appointment in four years

Allardyce is also hoping to persuade his trusty number two Neil McDonald to quit his job as boss of struggling League One club Blackpool and move to the Stadium of Light.

Big Sam had been planning to spend more time away from the game but couldn’t resist the challenge of resurrecting one of his former clubs.

He admitted: “I have fond memories of the Roker roar (when Sunderland played at Roker Park) as a player. Now let’s make some positive memories at the Stadium of Light.”

That can start in a fortnight’s time with victory over neighbours Newcastle United – the club that sacked Allardyce as they cleared the path for Kevin Keegan’s return as manager.

Allardyce is the only man to have managed both Sunderland and Newcastle

Although Allardyce became St. James’ Park owner Mike Ashley’s first casualty he has no problem with the Sports Direct Supremo who paid up the rest of his contract in double quick time.

Big Sam is the only man to have managed both North East clubs and now has the opportunity to continue an amazing run.

The last three Sunderland managers, Paolo Di Canio, Gus Poyet and Dick Advocaat have all beaten Newcastle in the second game after taking over.

For Allardyce the visit of Newcastle comes immediately after his first game at West Brom on Saturday.

Allardyce could have former West Ham midfielder Kevin Nolan in his squad at the Hawthorns, the experienced midfielder available as a free agent after being released by the Hammers.

Owner Short has also promised Allardyce substantial transfer funds – the cause of friction between

After agreeing to continue as Stadium of Light boss in the summer following the great escape from relegation Advocaat believed that between £30 and £40 million would be invested in the squad.

But he soon discovered that wasn’t the case and has told the Texan in no uncertain terms that the lack of quality players has proved Sunderland’s undoing in a miserable start to the season in which the club have yet to register a win.

Allardyce believes the message has now been taken on board and he will have decent money to spend in the January transfer window.

The days of snip signings now belong to a bygone age for the 60-year-old.