Featured Image: PA
Sam Allardyce has revealed that he was offered the chance to earn a fortune in the Chinese Super League before Crystal Palace allowed him to rebuild his career post-England disaster.
Allardyce replaced Alan Pardew as the boss at Selhurst Park last week, but could quite easily have followed the money currently on offer in the Far East that has so far tempted the likes of Carlos Tevez, Oscar, Hulk, Ramires, Graziano Pelle and Alex Teixeira.
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The former Bolton Wanderers manager was relieved of his duties as England manager after a undercover sting by The Telegraph in September.
Allardyce in happier times during his tenure as England manager (Image: PA)
The 62-year-old has now shared the story of his offer from an unnamed club in the Orient.
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"An agent said there was a football club over there and you can go and have a chat with them if you want to - they are interested in you."In all honesty, it wasn't for me at that stage. Whether they would have said yes to me or not, I don't know."Financially, yes, it was very tempting. But for me, it wasn't right for me or my family. I didn't want to leave my family togo and work in China on my own.
"It wasn't for me. I always thought that somebody in the Premier League might need my services. I have done it a few times and every time is just as difficult as the other."
"The pints of wine are on me, lads" (Image: PA)
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Now with his first game as Palace manager under his belt, a 1-1 draw with Watford at Vicarage Road, last week, Allardyce has revealed how, having lost his appetite for the game following the England job debacle, he was chomping at the bit to restore his reputation when Palace contacted him about taking over from Alan Pardew.
"I was getting bored. I was getting itchy. I was watching a game on the telly and I just thought I miss it. Then you have to wait."I am over what happened with England. I will never forget it but I am over it. It will always be there but I have moved on."I want Crystal Palace to be successful and everyone will talk about me and how well I have managed at Crystal Palace and now about that particular period in my life."
When you remember you've still got a selection box lefover from Christmas at home (Image: PA)
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Allardyce takes Palace to the Emirates Stadium tomorrow to see the new year in with a difficult game against Arsenal. It is believed the former Sunderland and West Ham boss will look to strengthen his squad with the transfer window re-opening tomorrow.
(H/T The Sun)
Topics: Football, Sam Allardyce, England, Chinese Super League, Crystal Palace