West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has distanced himself from the managerial post at Sunderland, by insisting that he is expecting to open contract negotiations with the Hammers board in the near future, ahead of the meeting between the two sides at the weekend, according to the Daily Mail.
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The former Newcastle manager has emerged as a front runner for the long term appointment at the Stadium of Light following Gus Poyet’s sacking, despite his history at St James Park, but Allardyce denied that the rumours are anything more than speculation, reaffirming his commitment to his current club.
“I’m West Ham manager. I’m professional. I’m contracted to West Ham, and don’t expect anything other than that somewhere along the line we will be talking about a contract here,” he explained.
Allardyce had previously struggled to win over the Hammers faithful with his reputation of long-ball football, and an ultimatum was reportedly issued by the board at the start of the season, suggesting that they wanted to see an improvement in the style.
And 60-year-old has arguably delivered a more exciting brand of football at Upton Park, but difficulties to collect points since the turn of the year has restarted the suggestion that the West Ham hierarchy may seek a replacement for Big Sam at the end of the campaign.