Davies expects Allardyce to make a football return

Former Preston striker Kevin Davies admits he will be surprised if ex-North End defender Sam Allardyce does not make a return to football.
Sam AllardyceSam Allardyce
Sam Allardyce

The former Bolton, Sunderland and West Ham United manager, who had an ill-fated stint as England manager which lasted just one game, appears to have walked away from the game for good after steering Crystal Palace to safety in the Premier League last season.

However, Davies - who worked under the 62-year-old when he was manager of the Trotters - is convinced his former boss will start to get itchy feet at some point in the future.

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Allardyce spent three years as a player at Deepdale before going on to manage the club in a caretaker capacity following the sacking of Les Chapman in 1992.

Davies said: "Having spent a lot of time with him when I played under him - and I still see him out and about - I’d be surprised if he doesn’t manage again.

"He wants a bit of quality time with the family and he feels like he’s sacrificed a lot with his wife and kids and grandkids.

"He had the episode with England that would have affected him quite a lot but he came back with Palace and did really well.

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“He is probably enjoying himself now, doing a bit of travelling and media here and there, but he’s one of those guys who needs it; it’s like a drug to him.

"You see Harry Redknapp over at Birmingham, he can’t leave it alone, and it wouldn’t surprise me if Big Sam does the same after some time out.

"I remember when the call came from Sunderland his wife was saying ‘I think you’ve had your time’ but he just couldn’t resist it and there is always going to be an opportunity in football.”

Kevin Davies was speaking exclusively to 888sport