Pundit Mark Lawrenson has been speaking on a recent installment of the OTB Football podcast, where he claimed Sam Allardyce will stay at West Bromwich Albion next season despite their relegation.
The 66-year-old former England boss arrived at the Hawthorns in December after the Baggies had picked up just seven points from their opening 13 Premier League matches.
Allardyce joined with an impressive reputation, having never been relegated throughout his managerial career. However, that record has now been ended after Sunday’s defeat to Arsenal saw the Midlands outfit face an immediate return to the Championship.
Talk has now turned to whether he will remain with West Brom as they attempt to reclaim their top-flight status next season, and Lawrenson has backed him to see out the remainder of his contract.
He said: (19:15) “Well, I think he’ll stay with West Brom and quite honestly, he’ll probably bring them back up, and I think that’s probably going to be his last job.
“I know when the phone rings and someone says, ‘We need you, Sam,’ I wish that he dons his Superman gear on, and off he goes, but I just think that West Brom will be daft to let him go.
“He’s got massive experience, he knows the Championship, he knows players, and he knows how to get out the Championship.
“It won’t be pretty, but it will be very, very effective, and I think then if he does that and gets them back in the Premier League after that year in the [Championship], whatever happens, I think he’ll probably call it a day, to be honest with you.”
Which position does Sam Allardyce most need to recruit in?
Goalkeeper
Defence
Midfield
Attack
TIF Thoughts on Allardyce’s future…
Allardyce’s current deal expires in the summer of 2022, and he may fancy one last crack of the whip before he calls time on an impressive if controversial managerial career.
The experienced boss last took control of a second-tier team back in 2011/12, guiding West Ham United to promotion via the play-offs at the first time of asking.
Achieving a similar success may appeal more to Allardyce than the survival role he’s become familiar with in more recent seasons, but only time will tell whether he’s got the motivation to go again.
In other news: ‘He’ll make them champions next year’ – TalkSPORT pundit drops big West Brom claim