Sam’s found a haven – at Freddy’s place

Feb 24 2008 by Neil Farrington, Sunday Sun

SAM ALLARDYCE has found the perfect haven ahead of his post-Newcastle blues – at former United chairman Freddy Shepherd’s holiday home.

Allardyce – appointed by Shepherd last May but sacked by the Magpies’ new boardroom regime in January – has just enjoyed a two-week break in Barbados.

And it is understood Big Sam’s accommodation was a villa owned by Shepherd, who left Newcastle last July following Mike Ashley’s takeover of the club.

That is despite Allardyce launching a stinging criticism of Premier League chairmen last weekend following his return to the UK.

Allardyce is convinced he would still be in a job had Shepherd remained at the helm at Newcastle, and the two men remain firm friends following their mutual departures from St James’s Park.

But that didn’t stop Allardyce from saying of top-flight chairmen: “They can’t stand the pressure, their knees buckle . . . 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.”