Big Sam Rumours Wrong!

Last updated : 04 June 2008 By Footy Mad - Editor
Allardyce could be close to a return to football after emerging as a front runner to replace Mark Hughes at Blackburn Rovers.

Hughes left Ewood Park after being head-hunted by Manchester City, who sacked Sven Goran Eriksson on Monday and agreed a £5million compensation package with Rovers yesterday.

Contrary to some media reports, he did not cut short his family holiday and in fact, he returned to his Bolton home from Spain on Monday on schedule.

The 53-year-old former Bolton boss will soon realise that Hughes jumped ship at Blackburn because they could not match his ambition.

Recently published figures showed that the Rovers wage bill was 85 per cent of their annual turnover, well above the Premiership average of 63 per cent, prompting speculation that they are looking closely at cost-cutting measures.

And, although Big Sam built a reputation at the Reebok for delivering success on a shoestring, he may not want to be strung by financial constraints that could see top players being jettisoned to reduce the wage bill.

He is known to be determined to get back into the game after his Newcastle experience, but he said: "I am keen but not desperate".