West Ham turn to Allardyce

Former Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce has agreed to terms to lead relegated West Ham in the Championship next campaign.

The Englishman – who has managed current English Premier League sides Bolton, Newcastle and Rovers – confirmed on Monday he would be coaching at Upton Park next season, and would attempt to bounce the beleaguered Hammers back into the top flight.

“Everything has been agreed in principle and I look forward to taking charge after I have had a family holiday,” Allardyce told British tabloid The People.

“It’s always difficult dealing with the aftermath of relegation, but I want to get West Ham back into the Premier League as quickly as possible.”

West Ham sacked former manager Avram Grant merely hours after their 3-2 loss to Wigan this month, which ensured the Londoners of relegation to the Championship.

West Ham’s official website have pre-empted unconfirmed reports on Monday of Allardyce’s appointment at Upton Park, with the Hammers releasing a statement announcing they would unveil their new boss in the near future.

Allardyce was controversially sacked by Blackburn in December 2010 with the side sitting in 13th place in the Premier League, a position which they failed to improve on under replacement boss Steve Kean.