Allardyce to shake West Ham hangover

22 June 2011 18:30

Sam Allardyce insists West Ham must quickly shake off their relegation hangover to make an immediate return to the Barclays Premier League.

Allardyce, 56, was unveiled as the Hammers' new manager on Wednesday after succeeding Avram Grant, who was axed when the east London club dropped back into the npower Championship after finishing bottom of the table.

The former Bolton, Newcastle and Blackburn boss acknowledged promotion is all the more crucial with the Irons eventually set to move into the Olympic Stadium after next year's Games. He said: "I have got to get rid of the hangover which relegation brings to a football club and transform that into a positive as soon as I can."

He added: "I have to instil a bit of discipline, magic and creativity, a bond among the players and staff to drive us on through a difficult season.

"Lots of big teams are spending a lot of money to achieve the same goal, so it will not be an easy task.

Allardyce - once touted as a potential England manager, but sacked by Blackburn in December - insists he has all the credentials needed to oversee a successful turnaround in fortunes.

"Without sounding too arrogant, with the experience I have gained in the Premier League, I will be trying to bring the club together with a spirit which will achieve the ultimate, which is to get promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking," he said.

"As difficult as that is going to be, it can be achieved. With a club the size of West Ham that needs to be done as soon as possible.

"The long-term goal is the Olympic Stadium and the team must be back in the Premier League when it is going to move into that great venue."

Source: PA