Media reports this week suggeseted Big Sam Allardyce was not interested in taking on a new manager’s role in the Championship preferring instead to see what opportunities come along in the Premier League.
Despite these strong hints, we continue to be linked to the former Bolton, Newcastle and Blackburn Rovers boss with rumours circulating still that he is our number one target.
His friend, Steve Bruce on ‘Match of the Day’ last night in the post-match interview following Sunderland’s 3-0 thumping of Blackburn let drop that Sam Allardyce was somewhere in Dubai so if Big Sam is interested in the Burnley job he must be watching developments from afar!
‘It depends for me on the job that is offered,’ Allardyce told the Sportsweek programme on BBC Radio 5 Live. ‘I can only wait and see who makes me an offer. If they have the same ambition to me then I will take up that position.’
Allardyce claimed he had not been in contact with the Championship side Burnley despite being linked with the post following the sacking of Brian Laws. ‘There has been a little bit of speculation, which I am flattered by, that Burnley are interested in me,’ he said.
So at least in that interview recently,he doesn’t seem to have totally ruled out a drop down into the Championship.
The Daily Mirror yesterday in an article written by Alan Nixon (who else?)continued the Big Sam theme saying that Allardyce had been putting feelers out for the post at Turf Moor but had yet to answer Burnley who wanted a quick deal.
The Mirror then went on to suggest we had a contingency plan and that the Clarets were poised to approach Watford gaffer, Malky MacKay in the next few days.
The Scot is highly rated and could be seen at the next Owen Coyle according to the Mirror.
It is thought that MacKay could be tempted by a move to Turf Moor. We have a bigger squad and more financial clout than the Hornets. Watford could also soon be taken over with Mackay’s job on the line.
During his playing career, the Scotland international centre back was on the books of Queens Park, Celtic, Norwich City, West Ham and of course, Watford.
MacKay has risen through the ranks as a coach at Watford.He took over as caretaker manager in November 2008 following the departure of Aidy Boothroyd but his spell in charge lasted just 5 games after former Chelsea reserve coach Brendan Rodgers was appointed on a long term basis by then Watford chairman Graham Simpson. After Brendan Rodgers resigned in June 2009, Mackay took over as the manager
He has since taken the cash-strapped club into the play-off spots and is generally recognised as getting his team to play attractive football. Watford are currently in 6th spot,one point ahead of the Clarets. Could he be tempted then to move to a club doing equally as well but one with a greater chance of providing a bigger budget for new players?
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