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Sam Allardyce persuaded Teddy Sheringham to make the move into management despite being on the brink of losing his own job.

Sheringham, 49, took his first step on the managerial ladder on Thursday when he was appointed by League Two Stevenage, kick-starting the break up of Allardyce's West Ham backroom staff.

The Hammers No2 Neil McDonald is in talks with League One side Blackpool and Ian Hendon is a contender for the top job at fourth-tier Leyton Orient, as Allardyce's coaches try to sort out their futures ahead of his expected departure next week.

Former Tottenham and Manchester United star Sheringham - West Ham's attacking coach this season - said: "I spoke to my family (about taking the Stevenage job) but professionally, it was just Sam.

"I told him I'd had an approach and as soon as I said it was from Stevenage he said 'take it'.

"His endorsement was a big deciding factor."

(Image: Getty)

Ex-England striker Sheringham, handed a three-year deal by Stevenage, admitted the doubts over Allardyce's Hammers future contributed too.

He said: "The uncertainty has carried on for everyone at West Ham for the last four to six months. If Sam had asked me four months ago I probably would have stayed and seen where it had taken me.

"But longer it has gone on, the uncertainty has left things very open and this chance (at Stevenage) has come about and it felt right."