Sunday 25 December 2016 07:19, UK
Sam Allardyce has described his infamous sacking as England manager as one of the darkest moments of his career.
After a distinguished 20-year career in club management, Allardyce reached the pinnacle of the English game in July when he succeeded Roy Hodgson as England boss.
But the dream appointment proved to be ill-fated. Allardyce mutually agreed to leave his position just 67 days into his tenure after he was filmed by a Daily Telegraph investigation into corruption in football discussing ways to circumvent rules on player transfers.
The 62-year-old has made a swift return to management, signing a two-and-a-half-year deal with Crystal Palace on Friday just 87 days after being relieved of his England duties.
In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports' Geoff Shreeves, Allardyce revealed his intention to put a line under his darkest hour in football.
"The first four weeks was one of the darkest moments of my career," he said. "Certainly the early reaction, which was hysterical to say the least looking back at it.
"My family and I have had that problem, we've all had to deal with that problem but eventually time passes by and you overcome those adversities and move on.
"Moving on, and finally putting this to bed, is taking this job and being determined to be a good manager at Crystal Palace again."
Allardyce has the chance to resurrect his career at Selhurst Park having been given the reins following Alan Pardew's sacking on Thursday.
Palace sit just one point and one place above the relegation zone, having claimed only one win in their last 11 Premier League outings.
Despite this, Allardyce insists the job at Palace is easier than the one he took on at Sunderland last season, where he was tasked with keeping perennial relegation fighters in the division.
"We've got to do it, it is part of the quick process to turnaround difficult situations at the moment," he added.
"It is not a difficult as the position Sunderland were in (when I took over)."
Watch Geoff Shreeves' extended interview with Sam Allardyce from 7am on Christmas Day on Sky Sports News HQ.
