Sam Allardyce hits out at Michail Antonio for ‘disgusting’ long-ball feedback and steps down as West Brom head coach simply minutes after West Ham defeat

Sam Allardyce confirmed he’ll now not be West Bromwich Albion head coach simply minutes earlier than attacking Michail Antonio for ‘disgusting’ feedback about his philosophy.

The previous England boss took cost on the Hawthorns after Slaven Bilic and was tasked with retaining the Baggies within the Premier League having by no means been relegated from the highest flight.

Nevertheless, the 66-year-old was unable to cease the slide and introduced he will probably be stepping down on the finish of the season minutes after the loss to the Hammers.

“West Bromwich Albion made me a beneficiant supply to remain at The Hawthorns that exhibits the dedication of an formidable membership,” he mentioned in an announcement. “After severe consideration I’ve determined to not settle for that supply.

“If I have been to remain and obtain promotion subsequent season the expectation can be for me to proceed for at the least one other season and, sadly, that’s not a dedication I really feel capable of make at this stage of my profession.

“I consider the membership now wants stability and continuity and this may, in my view, greatest be supplied by a younger and bold supervisor who can get us again to the place we needs to be as a longtime Premier League soccer membership.

“I have to thank the gamers and workers, specifically Luke Dowling and Ken (Xu Ke), for his or her unwavering dedication to a really tough problem throughout my time on the membership. This problem was made all of the tougher, after all, by the enforced absence of the membership’s unbelievable supporters, a few of whom I’m delighted have been current for our closing house recreation in opposition to West Ham United.

“The membership have requested for my opinion on the qualities my successor would require and I’ve been very happy to supply my ideas.

“The seek for my alternative begins after the ultimate recreation of the season at Leeds United. Within the meantime, we will probably be concentrating absolutely on the preparation for that recreation and can do the whole lot we are able to to complete the season with as many factors as doable.”

Allardyce then gave an interview after the sport and was irate at feedback from Antonio suggesting his Baggies facet performed a direct fashion of soccer.

“In contrast to Michail Antonio’s assertion that I simply heard earlier than he got here out right here,” he instructed Sky Sports activities.

“Saying we obtained massive males that simply play it within the channel, he simply insulted me and my group so I do know he’s a pleasant lad however it was disgusting what he mentioned.

“So I believe he ought to return and watch the sport and see how we actually performed. I imply, our entrance two are 5”10 and 5”9.

“So I don’t know what massive he thought we might hit into the channel.”

He added: “You by no means discuss the rest, similar to Michail Antonio simply mentioned it, ‘Sam is lengthy ball.’ It’s a load of crap.

“It all the time has been a load of crap as a result of I by no means performed the identical manner at any soccer membership I’ve ever been at. And if you happen to thought that was lengthy ball in the present day, then anyone is deluded.

“We performed lengthy ball in opposition to Liverpool as a result of it was the precise technique to play and will have gotten a outcome in opposition to them. They didn’t prefer it.

“However it exhibits everyone that if you happen to play a easy recreation in opposition to Liverpool you may get at them, you may get behind them and you may get possibilities.

“They’ve gone and beat Burnley 3-Zero tonight and so they have been useless fortunate to beat us the opposite night time, useless fortunate. As we speak, West Ham did should beat us 3-1, however that was our fault and never anyone else’s.”