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Sam Allardyce admits he can't to sink his teeth back into management again after ending his two year exile by joining West Brom - and claims he's looking forward to 'winding up' top bosses like Jose Mourinho and Jurgen Klopp.
'Big Sam' was confirmed as the new Baggies boss on Wednesday after the club decided to sack under-fire Slaven Bilic, with the team unable to fight their way out of the relegation zone following eight defeats already.
West Brom are hoping to utilise Allardyce's unique survival instincts after pulling off a number of miracles to save the likes of Crystal Palace and Sunderland from the jaws of relegation, and the veteran boss hopes he still has his magic touch.
© Provided by Daily MailSam Allardyce is looking forward to returning to management after two years out of the game
© Provided by Daily MailHe replaced Slaven Bilic after the Croatian oversaw poor results with the Baggies struggling
Allardyce, who has signed a one-year deal until the end of the season, has been given a massive incentive to keep West Brom up, with the 66-year-old in line for a collossal £2million bonus should he pull it off.
'I hope I can have the same influence at West Brom that I have had at many other clubs, Sunderland, Blackburn, even Everton, and Crystal Palace,' he told talkSport.
'It is the type of jobs people look out for me to try and do and that is what I recognise now.
'West Brom had a fantastic last season and were promoted but just can't find a way to win, My motive is try to get them to do the right detail, change the small things that might get them that victory.
'Slaven is a great guy, I know him, but it is what it is when the board make a decision and I am here to try and save West Brom and keep them in the Premier League for next season.'
© Provided by Daily MailWest Brom are in the relegation zone with just won win and eight defeats so far this season
© Provided by Daily MailAllardyce has proven himself to be a survival expert after miracles with Sunderland and Palace
Allardyce has become known as the expert for avoiding the drop and is often drafted in by struggling clubs who look to be sinking to the Championship. He has never been relegated and has boasted of his 'blueprint' to ensure safety after pulling off a stunning feat at the Stadium of Light.
His Black Cats side beat Everton 3-0 on the penultimate day of the 2015-16 season to complete a miraculous survival, one of the biggest achievements of his career.
Allardyce's teams play rigid, compact football, often launching balls forwards and going as direct as possible. That strategy has irked top bosses who have fallen victim to the frustrating set-up, and Allardyce relishes going up against the likes of Klopp, Mourinho and Pep Guardiola.
'I just hope I can wind them up again, that is all!' he added.
© Provided by Daily Mail'Big Sam' admitted he is looking forward to 'winding up' top bosses like Jose Mourinho (right)
He last managed in 2018, when he was sacked by Everton after stabilising them when they too were struggling down the lower end of the table in 2017-18.
But the following season the team stagnated and owner Farhad Moshiri opted to bring in Marco Silva to implement a more attractive play style.
Allardyce made his name with Bolton, and strengthened his resume with solid seasons at Blackburn from 2008 and 2010 and before getting West Ham promoted in 2012. His ability to keep teams up was highlighted after saving Sunderland in 2016, and he did it again for Palace in 2017 following a controversial short spell with England.
Allardyce conceded he has become known as the manager to keep clubs up but insists he enjoys working in football and is not ready to retire yet.
'I set my career out working in all the divisions, up the divisions, to finally get to Bolton. People might forget what we actually built at Bolton, we ended up in Europe, Carling Cup final, top eight finish.
© Provided by Daily MailAllardyce said he thought he was done with management but is excited to test his skills again
'I lost all that credibility because Newcastle had a change of ownership and moved me on, Blackburn had a change of ownership and moved me on. Then it was "where next?" And it became what I have been doing for the last few years in, "get Sam in, he might help you stay up".
'It is what it is. I enjoy working with players. I have been out for the longest time I have ever been out and I thought I was over it, but I'm not.'
Bilic was let go despite his last game coming in an impressive 1-1 draw against Manchester City, and Allardyce said he took plenty of positives for the season to come - adding he is hoping for some additions to bolster the team.
'It was a fantastic gutsy performance at Man City. It's always good when a player sees a new player come in and sees that player on the training ground who is going to make them better.
'The difficult is finding that player and we'll have to do our best to try and do that.'
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