Allardyce admits he may not be at West Ham next season
Friday 10 April 2015 20:02, UK
West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has admitted he does not know if he will be at the club next season.
Allardyce is out of contract at the end of the season and so far there have been no talks with the board about extending his deal beyond the summer.
The lack of talks has fuelled speculation that Allardyce may leave the club with a host of names like David Moyes, Rafa Benitez, Marcelo Bielsa, Steve McClaren, Slaven Bilic and Eddie Howe all being touted as possible replacements.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of Saturday's game with Stoke, Allardyce said: "No, I don't know if I'm going to be here.
"But I don't see any other way, that in my position, when you are contracted at a football club, you do the job that you are paid to do."
West Ham co-owner David Sullivan said this week that he was exceedingly disappointed with the last 12 games and when this was put to Allardyce, he said: "Is he really?"
No I don't know if I'm going to be here next season - he bottom line is the game is all about winning
"The reality is there is a difference between the performances and the results. Having said that the bottom line is winning and getting results and we haven't done enough of that recently," he said.
"We're all disappointed in the last few results and I accept that.
"I have to emphasise results because we've come close to winning some major games of football. We have to look at the season as whole, not just a few games and I think overall it's been terrific, it's been very exciting."
West Ham won 10 of their first 22 games this season but the Hammers have gone on a poor recent run that has heaped pressure on Allardyce. The East London side have won just one game in their last nine, scoring just six times and taking only six points from a possible 27.
Allardyce understands the need for a positive finish, with Stoke level on 42 points in the battle for a place in the top 10.
"We have to make sure we finish higher than we have ever done in the league and get more than 46 points," said the Hammers boss, whose side were beaten by bottom club Leicester last weekend.
"Looking at the table, the maximum we can finish is eighth, unless we go on a brilliant winning streak - which I think we are capable of, it is unlikely we can finish higher than that, so winning on Saturday becomes the all-important
thing."
Allardyce added: "Our creative ability has been endless all season, we're creating the same amount of chances as we were when we were in the top four, we're just not finishing as many. Against Leicester we created more than our
usual average number of chances. So we need to convert more chances.
"At the other end we need to make sure we keep our concentration and not let the opposition sneak a goal. That has ultimately been our Achilles heel over the last few games."
