Retirement not on Allardyce´s mind

Former Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce has ruled out retirement and a move to the Championship, saying he belongs in the Premier League.

Allardyce was the surprise victim of a shake-up at Ewood Park by owners the Venky’s Group, who dismissed the manager for what they described as a lack of ambition last Monday.

The sacking stunned the English football community, with Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson and Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp united in their condemnation of the decision.

The anti-climactic end to Allardyce’s reign at the Lancashire club fuelled speculation he would call time on his 16-year managerial career.

But the former Newcastle United and Bolton Wanderers boss said he is committed to managing in the top-flight again.

“I said I’d retire about now but that was wrong. It’s not great for your health but it is a drug,” Allardyce told the News of the World.

“It’s a lifestyle you find difficult to do without. You keep saying you might be able to do without it but you can’t really. There’s too much in it. It’s a necessity.”

“People asked me last time (after leaving Newcastle) if I would consider going into the Championship, but why would people think my skill sets would be that level?”

“It’s not being big-headed – it’s just self confidence when you have done it for so long.”

“And if Premier League football does not come my way, I have other ambitions. An international job interests me – that would be a new adventure.”

Allardyce added that he felt he was unjustly dismissed after two seasons with Blackburn, pointing to his achievements with the club over that period.

“The real disappointment comes when you look back at what we have achieved over those two years,” the 56-year-old said.

“I’m disappointed I’ve left after two years of hard graft. I’ve really transformed a football club that was bleeding and looking in serious trouble in relegation terms as well.”

“We finished 10th last season but football has a very short memory. We finished a good 15 points off relegation – we were nowhere near it. And that was after looking after the finances.”

“I haven’t just taken them from relegation problems into safety but we have undergone redevelopment with financial stability.”

“My model is much deeper than looking after players. My model is understanding the industry, working within it.”