‘Big Sam’ Allardyce is the right man for Sunderland upon return

From then on, he was sacked with Newcastle, Blackburn Rovers and West Ham United, despite the clubs all being mid-table at the time. The former duo were relegated the following season after he left, which goes to show the great work he had achieved.

At the Hammers, though, he became a victim of his own success, after starting the 2014/15 campaign in terrific fashion. The east Londoners eventually finished 12th, a position which fans and the owners at the start of the previous summer would have been very happy with, but their poor form towards the end of the term sealed his fate.

One criticism of Allardyce’s style of management is that he has been labelled as a long-ball and defensive tactician, which has not gone down well with certain fans, but Sunderland supporters certainly won’t mind at this stage.

The Black Cats are currently down in 19th place after gaining just three points (five from safety) and no wins from their opening eight games, and they will no doubt take ‘boring football’ than going down for the first time since 2005/06. They are odds-on favourites for the drop at 1/6.

From then on, becoming an established Premier League side, and not relegation battlers as they have been the last three seasons, is certainly achievable for Big Sam, who is 7/2 to keep his new team in the top flight.

Any excuse to use this photo again…