Sam Allardyce’s provided the biggest guffaw of the day followed by a massive gasp of disbelief at ClaretandHugh Towers earlier.
His extraordinary outburst explaining that “it was a myth” the owners ever told him to change his style and adopt a more attacking approach was hotly denied by insiders to Claret andHugh earlier tonight.
And no wonder because the tin hat was firmly clamped on such absurd nonsense a little later when we dug through the archives of www.whufc.com and there on May 20 was a declaration from the board saying exactly the opposite .
The full script can be found at http://www.whufc.com/articles/20140520/west-ham-united-statement_2236884_3845462 but here are the important bits for the purpose of putting the record straight.
West Ham United can confirm that manager Sam Allardyce will lead the Club into the 2014/15 Barclays Premier League season after constructive talks with the Club’s Board.
The Board and Allardyce have held lengthy and detailed discussions on the Club’s direction, values and philosophy and a positive way forward for next season has been agreed.
After listening to feedback from supporters, the Board have insisted on improvements to the set-up of the playing and backroom staff to ensure the team provides more entertainment next season.
The manager has agreed to recruit a new attacking coach to complement the existing coaching set-up as well as an overhaul of the Club’s scouting and recruitment operation that will see the Board have a greater involvement in the players who are signed. The Club have made clear that they want to see progression on the pitch and at least a top-ten finish as a result.
West Ham United Joint-Chairmen David Sullivan and David Gold said: “We have a very clear vision of how we want West Ham United to operate under our joint ownership. Although not everybody understands the West Ham Way, we do and we respect it as we have been supporters all our lives. We believe this is about a philosophy that is not just about the style of play, but the whole ethos that surrounds the Club.
“Sam was asked to give us a detailed presentation on his vision for next season and during this he assured us that he can deliver that ethos to West Ham United and we have agreed to support him with the resources that he needs. We have mapped out a way forward with him that will ensure our much-deserving fans have more to cheer about next season.
West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce said: “I look forward to taking the Club forward and improving the squad for next season to try and achieve the plans we have set out in our very productive meeting last week.”
More retrospective points scoring from the anti-Allardyce brigade. The manager was given a directive from the board like every other manager in the footballing world and he’s playing it out. Why is this seen as a defeat for Allardyce? If anything it shows he is adaptable and can play the game any way he wants. Does this not make his position even stronger? The anti-Allardyce agenda are no trying to spin this to show it as a weakness in his make up whereas, in reality (a commodity seldom found in many of my fellow Hammers fans) it proves he’s capable so much more than most have given him credit for. Well done Sam and carry on the good work!
The only point I’m making is why would he deny he was told to change style by board when statement from them in May said it happened? Can you tell me please? The retrospection of which you speak goes back as far as yesterday morning’s press conference.
Who cares.
If the board knew our ethos and style of play why didn’t they say something,at the beginning of Sam’s tenure.Or why didn’t they get a manager ie Redknapp,someone who understands.No Sam,so far has proved a point he can play the game hard,as we did in the Championship,then had to do the same,because we couldn’t afford to buy player’s who can play the West Ham way.Now he has no excuse,we have them player’s now,and so far he has let no-one down. C.O.Y.I.
Baddowe. Getting fed up with saying this: No one is being critical of him here. Just asking why he denied that the owners had asked for a change calling it a ‘myth’ when a clear board statement said the opposite
Because of his ego! The cupped ear to the delusional fans etc!!