Former Bolton Wanderers and Crystal Palace manager, Sam Allardyce, has insisted that Newcastle remained one of the biggest coaching jobs in English football despite Rafa Benitez’s decision to step down.
Saga Gist reports that Allardyce was the first manager to work under Mike Ashley when the retail magnate bought the club within weeks of his arrival at St James’ Park in 2007. He, however, lasted only seven months.
Speaking with TalkSPORT on Tuesday, Big Sam (Allardyce) insists the Toon managerial seat has lost none of its pulling power despite Ashley’s unpopularity and the threat of a fans’ boycott.
“There has been a lack of real success for many, many years and the fans realise what the Newcastle has become.
“I think we all know the pitfalls of the Newcastle job but you don’t turn it down if it’s offered, and you have ambition,” he said.
The trouble-torn club have yet to draw up a managerial short-list seven days before the players return for pre-season training.
But there is no shortage of interest in a job Benitez felt had become toxic under Ashley.
While the Spaniard will walk away when his contract expires on Sunday, Newcastle have been inundated with enquiries from managers both at home and abroad.
