Big Sam interview in full

Sam Allardyce speaks exclusively to Sky Sports reporter Geoff Shreeves about his England exit and taking on the challenge at Crystal Palace…

SHREEVES: It looks as though you’re taking everything in and working out how to put your imprint on things, whether that be players or facilities….

ALLARDYCE: It’s about asking questions, some of which might be uncomfortable for people. But questions need to be asked for me to absorb as much as I can to start making the right decisions because the right decisions need to start happening quickly when you’re in the middle of a season in Palace’s position. 

The decisions I make have to be made on the knowledge I absorb over the next few days during a hugely busy Christmas period. It’s not the best of times to take over a club but Steve Parish wanted a quick decision so I gave him a really quick answer and drove down yesterday and said ‘let’s go’. 

For me there are a few injuries but, given the investment in the summer, this squad shouldn’t be where it is. Hopefully I can turn it around and get them back to where everybody thinks they should be.

SHREEVES: Why this job for you right now?

ALLARDYCE: Players, club, ambition, it has all that. Palace have been established in the Premier League and want to go a bit further. They’ve got some new investment from new owners that have taken a partnership with Steve, money has been invested and hopefully more money in the future will be because investment is the way forward at every business and football club.

If we get recruitment right, the atmosphere right and the players here play to their full potential we should get out of trouble. But there is no guarantee of that. 

SHREEVES: What about you? Are you alright? Have you got your appetite back?

ALLARDYCE: I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t right. If I didn’t feel right I wouldn’t have taken the position. I’ve upset my wife because we were supposed to be going to Dubai for new year so that tells me I’m right. She has always supported me in taking this job. They’ll still be going on holiday and I’ll be working away trying to turn Palace around as quick as I can.

SHREEVES: How have you been in the 87 days since you ended your time with England?

ALLARDYCE: Has it been that long? I would have to say the first four weeks was one of the darkest moments of my career. Certainly the early reaction, which was hysterical to say the least looking back at it. 

My family and I have had that problem, we’ve all had to deal with that problem but eventually time passes by and you overcome those adversities and move on. Moving on and finally putting this to bed is taking this job and being determined to be a good manager at Crystal Palace again. 

SHREEVES: Being back in work is going to help but will you be forever scared after what happened to you with your dream job?

ALLARDYCE: Yes, there is no doubt about that. There is no doubt at all that it happened and it was a black, dark moment – one I wish had never happened in my life. In all honesty I never ever saw it coming. But I can’t dwell on the past, I’m not a past man. I always think of what I can do in the future.

Hopefully I can come to Palace and enjoy working with young people, I always like working with young people, it keeps you young. There is a lot of pressure at first when you first take over a club that’s struggling a little but you want to go and do your best for yourself, your family and the club that employ you.

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