Allardyce Sacked!

According to ESPNsoccernet, Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce has been sacked. As of this writing, they had no other details up on their site. The Guardian is reporting that both the club and manager are parting ways by mutual consent, but that's a tired old phrase. Sam was sacked.

I can hardly say this is surprising. Newcastle struggled through the Christmas season (I was writing a post about the holidays when I came upon the story) and played to a mediocre draw against Stoke in the FA Cup on the weekend. Mike Ashley, the Newcastle owner, failed to make any significant statements in support of Allardyce which had led many pundits to assume the end was nigh.

Considering the amount of money invested in the squad by the former Bolton manager, most fans have been justified in their anger. Joey Barton, who has played little this season and has had continual off-field problems cost just under 6-million pounds, for example. Alan Smith, who has played but failed to make a significant contribution, cost a similar sum.

Too bad for Sam, one of my favourite footballing personalities. I'm sure there will be a line of clubs waiting to give him another shot, I only hope this was a continuation of the Toon curse and not a reflection of Allardyce's inadequacies.