Big Sam resigns from Crystal Palace

In a slightly surprising news Sam Allardyce has resigned as Crystal Palace after 5 months in charge.

The decision was made for personal reasons which he revealed in a statement

"I have no ambitions to take another job," Allardyce said in a statement.

"I want to be able to savour life while I am still relatively young, and when I am still relatively healthy enough to do all the things I want to do, like travel, spend more time with my family and grandchildren without the huge pressure that comes with being a football manager.

"This is the right time for me. I simply want to be able to enjoy all the things you cannot really enjoy with the 24/7 demands of managing any football club, let alone one in the Premier League."

Big Sam wasn't for everyone but my view is that he was one of the underrated managers over the last 15 years. Many followers of football will point to being a survival specialist manager but I think that is far from the truth and only applicable in recent times.

At his best and as manager of Bolton Wanderers he oversaw one of the Premier leagues most positive and off the pitch progressive sides. Sam was one of the first managers to understand the value of sports science and statistical analysis being one of the first to use Prozone.

His Bolton sides included many players of quality. Nicolas Anelka's career was relaunched under Sam and earned him a move to Chelsea. The brilliant to watch Jay Jay Okocha was one of the game true entertainers and flourished, as did equally, french playmaker Youri Djorkaeff.

Players arrived at Bolton that simply their own fans couldn't believe. Perhaps the best and most amazing examples are the Ex Real Madrid stars Ivan Campo and from my own in the flesh view, the amazing, majestic Fernando Herrero. Herrero in particular was a Madrid captain, club legend and that he was persuaded to play for Bolton is incredible.

Herrero was past his best and struggled with injury but still his quality was eye catching. I saw him play live in September 2004 and in that particular game I saw a midfield marvel whose head was always up and whose vision, choice and weight of pass was as good as you get. He simply stood out. In the flesh only a prime Paul Scholes impressed me as much live in the playmaker role and that memory is thanks to Sam.

Sam remains a manager who most times got the absolute maximum out of the players who played for him. On paper that was just what the English national side needed last summer after the horrific performances in Euro 2016 but that chance was cut short by himself. In a league and time where english managers are disappearing, he will be missed.

He also provided one of my favourite reactions to modern day simulation with Chico Flores

Still Sam can look forward to enjoying life. Want to know something he like's to do for fun, then take a look at this video.

Brit's abroad hey!

Enjoy life Sam.

Stall