West Ham co-owner David Sullivan insists Sam Allardyce will be staying at the club - but the man himself is taking nothing for granted.
But West Ham boss claims he can never look to long-term future
West Ham co-owner David Sullivan insists Sam Allardyce will be staying at the club - but the man himself is taking nothing for granted.
The Hammers take on Blackpool in the Championship play-off final on Saturday and are favourites to return to the Premier League at the first attempt.
Allardyce has been under pressure to deliver promotion all season, with some fans criticising his style of football as the club just missed out on second spot to Southampton on the final day.
But Sullivan rejects the theory and is adamant the former Newcastle boss has a job at Upton Park next season regardless of the outcome at Wembley this weekend.
"Whether it's a popular decision or not, come what may we will stick with Sam," Sullivan told
The Sun.
"We have a reputation for honouring contracts and I genuinely believe there is no point chopping and changing every year if you want to build something. I believe in continuity.
Nonsense
"I keep hearing all this nonsense about our style of play and complaints from some fans, but Sam has an undeserved reputation which is hard to get rid of.
"I haven't missed a game all season and most of the time we have tried to play decent football.
"Sam has a two-year contract and if we don't get promoted in that time I doubt I would need to fire him. He's said himself that he would walk away."
While Allardyce no doubt appreciates this backing, he is under no illusions that he must deliver results if he is to remain in charge.
"I don't have a long-term future anymore," the 57-year-old told the
Daily Mirror. "You can't have a long-term future in my job anymore because you are not allowed.
"The statistics tell you that you cannot predict how long you will be at any football club now because you don't know what is going to happen.
Longevity
"All you can do, if you want longevity at one football club, is win football matches. If you win football matches, you stay in a job. If you don't win football matches, you lose your job."
Allardyce, who was appointed West Ham manager in June, admits his team can take nothing for granted ahead of the contest dubbed 'the richest game in football'.
He added: "We would love to win - we need to win - but we can't guarantee it.
"If it is not the case for whatever reason, somebody will say: 'Will your job be safe?'
"When that comes around I can answer that but for now my focus is on the team.
"It's been a long wait since we played Cardiff (in the semi-final) but we're rested, eager and ready to give our best performance of the season."
