Big Sam blasts football chiefs

Feb 17 2008 by Steve Brown, Sunday Sun

SAM ALLARDYCE has aimed a thinly-veiled attack at Mike Ashley – claiming that sacked managers are victims of club owners who “can’t stand the pressure”.

The former Newcastle boss was relieved of his duties last month, but believes the spate of businessmen buying into football crumble the moment supporters call for the manager’s head.

“Huge businessmen, multi-millionaires in their own right, very clever men, but never been shouted at,” said Allardyce, who insisted his comments were directed at chairmen and owners in general.

“They can’t stand the pressure, their knees buckle, they don’t stand strong and they use the easy option to take the pressure off themselves.

“They have to be the strongest ones and often they’re the weakest ones.

“They might like the limelight when the success comes but they certainly can’t put up with the other side of it, which is really quite volatile now.”