Arsene Wenger: Sam Allardyce has the quality and experience Crystal Palace wanted
Friday 30 December 2016 13:04, UK
Arsene Wenger is not surprised Crystal Palace brought in Sam Allardyce because of the ex-England manager's "quality and experience".
Allardyce was appointed as Alan Pardew's successor at Selhurst Park last week with the Eagles in 17th place, just two points clear of the relegation zone.
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It is Allardyce's first role since his 67-day reign as England manager, a job he left by mutual consent after just one game in charge following a newspaper sting.
Wenger, whose Arsenal side host Palace on New Year's Day, believes his previous experience meant Allardyce would always find a way back into football despite the manner of his England exit.
Asked if he was surprised by Allardyce's swift return, Wenger replied: "No, not really. Because today, the clubs who are in trouble look for experienced managers.
"The position in the Premier League has become vital for everybody to stay in the league. It has become an extremely big problem for everybody and when teams look for managers he was one out there who had the experience and the quality.
"After that, all the rest is moral judgement. I don't know how guilty he was of having done something or not, I don't know. But he was in a strong position as a national team manager, that means that people acknowledged that he had the quality to be there."
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