HITC

Sam Allardyce was in charge of West Ham United last season.

Sam Allardyce claims Sunderland are a bigger club than West Ham United, the Telegraph reports.

The former Bolton Wanderers boss has managed a number of teams in the Premier League, starting at Bolton Wanderers before having spells at Newcastle United, Blackburn Rovers, West Ham and now Sunderland.

Many speculated whether ‘Big Sam’ would retire from management altogether after his spell with the Hammers ended last summer.

Despite taking the East London club from the Championship to the top flight and keeping them there, his style of football never really rubbed off on the club’s supporters and he was often criticised.

But after heavy speculation, Allardyce ended up back in the North East with Sunderland and he has since become extremely fond of the club as he praises their excellent support.

“I contemplated retirement. I rotated as a pundit at the start of the season, I didn’t think a job I wanted would come up as soon as it did. It caught me by surprise. I couldn’t say no to Sunderland,” he told the Telegraph.

“I do have an emotional bond. It’s a huge club. It’s a bigger club than West Ham, or at least it is prior to West Ham’s move into the Olympic Stadium.

“I think the thing that makes it unique up here is the percentage of people who live in Sunderland who come to support their team every week,” he explained. “It far outweighs other towns and cities across the country.”

Sunderland are undoubtedly one of the more established clubs in England, yet their top-flight status is under threat for another season running while West Ham have fared far better in recent times.

The Black Cats find themselves in 18th position in the Premier League table, and unless they can pull off another victory or two between now and June, they will join a list of other big clubs in the Championship.

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