Sunday 11 October 2015 16:10, UK
New Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce says he is ready to do it his way in a bid to revive the struggling club’s fortunes.
Allardyce, who has been out of work since leaving West Ham on the final day of last season, was announced as Dick Advocaat's successor on Friday evening, signing a two-year contract at the Stadium of Light.
The Black Cats have endured a shocking start to the new season and currently sit in 19th place in the Premier League having failed to win any of their first eight fixtures.
Allardyce admits he had reservations over taking the reins at Sunderland, based on the club's current plight. However, the 60-year-old revealed a chat with club chairman Ellis Short convinced him to make a return to management after a five month absence.
"It was a difficult decision until I met Ellis Short. I was not sure whether I was going to go back in, jump back in. But after the meeting with Ellis and a quick chat with Linda, my wife, I had a good feeling," Allardyce told Sky Sports News HQ.
"I've got to get going and get stuck into the players, stuck into the staff and start getting everyone working my way and hopefully my way will be as good for Sunderland as it has been for the other clubs I have worked at, particularly West Ham, my last one."
Allardyce's first game in charge will be against West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns on Saturday. His first home match will be the north east derby against Newcastle on October 25.
"We all know what a difficult position Sunderland are in, but I look forward to the challenge as always," Allardyce added.
"People always look at me and see what I've done at West Ham and Blackburn, which is a similar resurrection in what I've got to do at Sunderland. Get them out of trouble as soon as I can and up that league because this year is obviously very important time for everyone based on the new deal coming in next season."
Former Sunderland manager Peter Reid has been linked with a return to the club as a potential assistant to Allardyce.
But when asked whether he was considering appointing Reid as his assistant, Allardyce was keeping his cards close to his chest.
"I have a thought about it, but at the moment there will be one member of staff coming in as my No.2 and after that we'll see how the rest of the lads work with me," Allardyce added.
