‘Most Everton fans didn’t want me out’ – Allardyce

Ian Watson

Sam Allardyce claims only a minority of Everton fans wanted the club to change manager.

The 63-year-old was jettisoned after less than six months in charge after a short meeting with majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri on Wednesday morning.

Allardyce admits he was disappointed at his dismissal but knew it was coming after reading media reports in the previous days.

He also claimed the majority of Toffees supporters were content with the manager, despite vociferous protests during the final weeks of the season.

“I would say most Everton fans didn’t want me out,” he told TalkSPORT.

“Not everybody has the same opinion as the few but that’s fuelled up over many media centres. That happens, I accept that.

“Moving forward, Everton need to build a team on the field and move a forward to grow with the stadium being built.”

Allardyce was unhappy with the way his exit was touted in the media well before he had received official confirmation.

“I’m surprised how it came about. It seemed to be done and dusted through the media before I met Farhad,” he continued.

“I think it was out there in the open for a couple of days. That leaves you with the certainty of what was going to happen.

“It was slightly disappointing. Who was involved in that I couldn’t tell you, but something as delicate as that is something you want to be confidential.”

Allardyce added: “I think when it’s so open in the press, from the day before, it was highly unlikely it was going to be anything else.

“I prepared myself for what was being said by the press a couple of days before.

“My meeting with Farhad was amicable. We conducted ourselves amicably but I expressed a disappointment with how it got out. I accept it and move on.”

 

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