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Big Sam: My Autobiography
Football fans will love this insight into the life and mind of Big Sam. With nearly 20 years as a player - plus almost 25 years as a coach and manager - under his belt, Sam Allardyce is one of the most recognisable figures in British football.
'Big Sam' has been a robust defensive general throughout the seventies and eighties, and an imposing touchline presence as a gaffer since 1994.
Over the last four decades, Allardyce has seen it all. The game he so loves is radically different to that in which he made his debut back in 1973, and in telling his wonderfully colourful story for the very first time, Allardyce talks intriguingly about the changing face of players and managers. His autobiography positively crackles with characteristic insight, honesty and hard-hitting opinions.
'Big Sam' has been a robust defensive general throughout the seventies and eighties, and an imposing touchline presence as a gaffer since 1994.
Over the last four decades, Allardyce has seen it all. The game he so loves is radically different to that in which he made his debut back in 1973, and in telling his wonderfully colourful story for the very first time, Allardyce talks intriguingly about the changing face of players and managers. His autobiography positively crackles with characteristic insight, honesty and hard-hitting opinions.
329 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 8, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 36 reviews
March 21, 2024
An honestly very nice and pretty thorough summation of the career of one of football's GOATs. Were you attempting to justify Large Samuel's place in the pantheon, or challenge people's perception of him, you could point to his myriad tactical and managerial innovations especially at Bolton, and that's all true, but I was here for some boomer shite and he delivered in spades. He even manages to get in a "you can't even say Christmas now of days" somehow? Textbook stuff.
Gutted he never actually got to manage England: if, as he says here, he hadn't narrowly lost out to McClaren in '06 there is no doubt in my mind that we would have not only qualified for, but won, Euro 2008.
Only suffers from being written in 2015 - yeah man, West Ham definitely need to hang onto Reece Oxford, he's gonna be fucking massive - because one imagines his actual botched Inglun stint in 2017 would've made for terrific reading.
Also sets it up like its a document of his retirement only for him to join Sunderland in the last chapter for basically no reason. If this were a work of fiction you'd call it out for abysmal foreshadowing. You had a heart attack! Go to bed! These people (managers, cf hodgson literally managing palace until he collapsed the other week) are sick!
I'm not saying it was as good as Anna Karenina, which is technically what a 4* from me implies, but for something I bought from Oxfam as a bit, back before the globey pands, it was very entertaining
Edit: don't get to hear him justify spending like £80m on benteke, pva and townsend at palace, "retiring", and then taking that England job like the week after. 1/5 my people deserve answers
Gutted he never actually got to manage England: if, as he says here, he hadn't narrowly lost out to McClaren in '06 there is no doubt in my mind that we would have not only qualified for, but won, Euro 2008.
Only suffers from being written in 2015 - yeah man, West Ham definitely need to hang onto Reece Oxford, he's gonna be fucking massive - because one imagines his actual botched Inglun stint in 2017 would've made for terrific reading.
Also sets it up like its a document of his retirement only for him to join Sunderland in the last chapter for basically no reason. If this were a work of fiction you'd call it out for abysmal foreshadowing. You had a heart attack! Go to bed! These people (managers, cf hodgson literally managing palace until he collapsed the other week) are sick!
I'm not saying it was as good as Anna Karenina, which is technically what a 4* from me implies, but for something I bought from Oxfam as a bit, back before the globey pands, it was very entertaining
Edit: don't get to hear him justify spending like £80m on benteke, pva and townsend at palace, "retiring", and then taking that England job like the week after. 1/5 my people deserve answers
November 25, 2015
A terrific look at the career of football manager Sam Allardyce, one of the English game's most experienced and respected personalities. I enjoyed reading "Big Sam's" views on the game and how it has changed over the years that he has been a player, a coach, and a manager - and I particularly appreciated his insights into how the game should be.
If you are interested in English football this is a book you shouldn't miss. We learn more about the man as he tells his own story, rather than let himself be defined by what his critics say of him - something that he admits has been trouble both in terms of fan problems at Newcastle and West Ham, and the media's unfair portrayal of him as a long-ball, anti-football speciality.
If you are interested in English football this is a book you shouldn't miss. We learn more about the man as he tells his own story, rather than let himself be defined by what his critics say of him - something that he admits has been trouble both in terms of fan problems at Newcastle and West Ham, and the media's unfair portrayal of him as a long-ball, anti-football speciality.
August 2, 2016
Even though I'm not a fan of any of the teams that he played for or managed, I've always admired Big Sam, and all the other managers that I would call wide boys, Wheeler dealers, or white van man types. So when I heard he was appointed England manager a couple of weeks ago, I couldn't wait to pick up this book! Much to my surprise, it's much deeper than most football manager books or biographies tend to be. He even asked his wife Lynn to write a chapter which offered a fresh perspective.
My only criticism would be that unfortunately Big Sam chose not to read the book himself, if you're going to have another reader for A celebrity biography you should make sure to get someone who sounds like the author, fortunately headline did this and it really enhanced the audio experience.
My only criticism would be that unfortunately Big Sam chose not to read the book himself, if you're going to have another reader for A celebrity biography you should make sure to get someone who sounds like the author, fortunately headline did this and it really enhanced the audio experience.
September 10, 2016
This is the second time I have read this book and enjoyed it yet again. Big Sam is a thoroughly entertaining, inspiring book to read and never bored of it at all. Very easy to read, plenty of swearing and curse words (for the benefit of the PC Brigade) and plenty of stories told. A must read for those who enjoy football.
April 2, 2020
I couldn’t help but compare this book to Harry Redknapp’s. The similarities are astounding. It’s good to know about Sam’s roots, his playing career and initial years as a manager in lower divisions of English football. Contrast that with his glory days with Bolton and acrimonious spell at West Ham, it makes for a great Narration is detailed and well thought of. Ironic, given that Sam is dyslexic. Not surprisingly, Sam’s always right. A good read, this one.
September 13, 2016
enjoyable bio of the current england manager written before his appointment charting his career from growing up in the black country Dudley and his start in football playing for Bolton through to his managerial departure from West Ham united (so it misses out the sunderland and england management appointment)
July 1, 2016
Big Sam is the autobiography of Sam Allardyce, the current manager of Premier League club Sunderland. It details his extensive career both as a player and a manager. Allardyce previously played for clubs like Bolton Wanderers, Sunderland, Millwall, Tampa Bay Rowdies and Preston North End, and has previously managed teams such as Bolton Wanderers (again), Notts County, Blackpool, Newcastle United, Blackburn Rovers and most famously West Ham United.
Allardyce's book is pretty much the standard fare you get from any footballer's autobiography these days. There isn't anything particularly new or exciting from his writing compared to other autobiographies. His candid and frank assessment of his career and the people that he has worked with was interesting to read, along with his experiences managing Premier League clubs. Allardyce was never a big name manager in charge of massive clubs like Manchester United and the like. He was always more of an overachiever, taking control of smaller teams and pushing them to fulfill their potential and beyond. I only knew him as the manager of West Ham United but his career at other clubs, especially Bolton Wanderers, made me respect his work even more by looking at his shrewd signings and quick adoption of technological and statistical methods that he learned from his time in the Major League Soccer teams in his own club to great effect.
What was perhaps the most interesting was Allardyce's address on the popular criticisms of his 'long ball' methods. I definitely remember a lot of these examples, like Jose Mourinho's comment that Allardyce's West Ham United played '19th century football' after Chelsea failed to beat them in a Premier League encounter. He said that he plays to the strengths of his teams and depending on the situation, he might have to play route one football. It's something all managers would do when desperate but maybe Allardyce does get a disparate amount of criticism for his methods. He also mentioned how clubs would always complain that managers do not know how to play the traditional way that their club used to play, like the 'West Ham way' or whatever, but these 'traditional ways' that the fans seem to envision is so subjective that no manager can ever seem to please them, even when their team is winning. It's an interesting insight from the manager's point of view.
Overall, this was a decent book. It would definitely appeal to fans of the Premier League or any of the clubs that Allardyce previously mentioned. It's doesn't offer anything new or provocative but it's a good look at Allardyce's career and the clubs that he has been with. Allardyce has always shown interest to be the manager of England and maybe he'll get the job now that Roy Hodgson has stepped down recently. If he does, I wouldn't be surprised. He deserves a fair shot at it. 3/5
Allardyce's book is pretty much the standard fare you get from any footballer's autobiography these days. There isn't anything particularly new or exciting from his writing compared to other autobiographies. His candid and frank assessment of his career and the people that he has worked with was interesting to read, along with his experiences managing Premier League clubs. Allardyce was never a big name manager in charge of massive clubs like Manchester United and the like. He was always more of an overachiever, taking control of smaller teams and pushing them to fulfill their potential and beyond. I only knew him as the manager of West Ham United but his career at other clubs, especially Bolton Wanderers, made me respect his work even more by looking at his shrewd signings and quick adoption of technological and statistical methods that he learned from his time in the Major League Soccer teams in his own club to great effect.
What was perhaps the most interesting was Allardyce's address on the popular criticisms of his 'long ball' methods. I definitely remember a lot of these examples, like Jose Mourinho's comment that Allardyce's West Ham United played '19th century football' after Chelsea failed to beat them in a Premier League encounter. He said that he plays to the strengths of his teams and depending on the situation, he might have to play route one football. It's something all managers would do when desperate but maybe Allardyce does get a disparate amount of criticism for his methods. He also mentioned how clubs would always complain that managers do not know how to play the traditional way that their club used to play, like the 'West Ham way' or whatever, but these 'traditional ways' that the fans seem to envision is so subjective that no manager can ever seem to please them, even when their team is winning. It's an interesting insight from the manager's point of view.
Overall, this was a decent book. It would definitely appeal to fans of the Premier League or any of the clubs that Allardyce previously mentioned. It's doesn't offer anything new or provocative but it's a good look at Allardyce's career and the clubs that he has been with. Allardyce has always shown interest to be the manager of England and maybe he'll get the job now that Roy Hodgson has stepped down recently. If he does, I wouldn't be surprised. He deserves a fair shot at it. 3/5
February 1, 2016
It was a good read, I don't share all of his opinions. As a West Ham fan I didn't really have a problem with his style of play, I never really considered it long ball. I did however find him quite negative at times and we squandered leads because of it, especially the final season with plenty of late goals conceded.
However, his attention to detail, his drive, his focus on fitness were all very interesting aspects of of this book. He is a very good premier league manager, who has improved every side he has worked for. He has taken over average sized football teams and helped them punch above their weight and compete with bigger teams. His focus on back room staff, statistics and his analysis for every position on the pitch has helped him catch up and compete with bigger teams with greater financial advantages.
Whether you are a fan of his or not it's a very interesting read.
However, his attention to detail, his drive, his focus on fitness were all very interesting aspects of of this book. He is a very good premier league manager, who has improved every side he has worked for. He has taken over average sized football teams and helped them punch above their weight and compete with bigger teams. His focus on back room staff, statistics and his analysis for every position on the pitch has helped him catch up and compete with bigger teams with greater financial advantages.
Whether you are a fan of his or not it's a very interesting read.
February 16, 2016
I thought the book was very insightful and it was very interesting to learn more, about a manager who I have always respected, but it really was interesting to learn about how he is really ahead of his time
October 16, 2019
Absolutely loved it, got a real soft spot for Big Sam! Nice to read a different genre for a change and would recommend to any football followers.
September 13, 2018
Was a thoroughly enjoyable read, not knowing much about big Sam but loving watching what he was doing at West Ham I was wanting to read this. I had no idea he was dyslexic and enjoyed the insights into his career as player and manager. Just wished there was more detail and depth into the seasons and what happened during. Did bug me that because he was dyslexic he had people write for him, but surely they or an editor could've picked up a lot of the errors in the text, but that's just nitty picking.
October 10, 2018
Blame Game
Was good to get a footballing insight from a man who's done the lot. Played, managed, won trophies and ran a bar! Reading this though he pins a lot of blame on everyone else while declaring much of a success he has been. While you can't argue the success it gets tiresome reading how a red cost you this and that or a chairman wanted change. I guess that's football though and I'm glad I've read the book.
Was good to get a footballing insight from a man who's done the lot. Played, managed, won trophies and ran a bar! Reading this though he pins a lot of blame on everyone else while declaring much of a success he has been. While you can't argue the success it gets tiresome reading how a red cost you this and that or a chairman wanted change. I guess that's football though and I'm glad I've read the book.
June 17, 2024
A perfect tonic after reading a book previous which was very detailed and required a lot of focus. This isn’t especially detailed, but reads more like a story which flows really well, leading to easy, pleasurable reading.
Sam is seen as somewhat of a football dinosaur and this makes a compelling argument against this. I knew about Sam’s success at Bolton and his time at West Ham but not much else so nice to get the background.
Enjoyable read, recommended.
Sam is seen as somewhat of a football dinosaur and this makes a compelling argument against this. I knew about Sam’s success at Bolton and his time at West Ham but not much else so nice to get the background.
Enjoyable read, recommended.
May 4, 2020
If this book was called Grande Sam it would be the bestselling book of all time. Written before he became England manager, this is a great tale of a Northern man reinventing football and not getting the credit. Useful material on nicking American ideas on stats and fitness to Moneyball the Premier League. I hope a film is made of his life - it would not be boring.
November 23, 2022
Strange one to try and rate. On one half some really interesting insights, particularly on 'Big Sam's' managerial career. But then some of his opinions just didn't sit right with me. Add in the fact that I have read this too late and this wanted more around what happened in his brief England spell and it falls a bit flat.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 7, 2025
Brilliant read
As.an avid Bolton supporter this book was brilliant, still say tho there's unfinished business at Bolton 😏 needless to say Sam brought Some epic memories for Bolton including my son who was born on the very day 28th may 2001 promotion day, brought that day back to me, love the book love Sam epic read
As.an avid Bolton supporter this book was brilliant, still say tho there's unfinished business at Bolton 😏 needless to say Sam brought Some epic memories for Bolton including my son who was born on the very day 28th may 2001 promotion day, brought that day back to me, love the book love Sam epic read
February 25, 2018
I saw a quote on Twitter today which said ... “I’ve never seen a man so arrogant, with so little to be arrogant about.” Apt.
November 4, 2020
A pretty big standard autobiography with a few interesting stories but not many, and his relationship with people aren't covered very much.
November 8, 2021
Some character
December 21, 2022
Nothing out of the ordinary.
February 23, 2023
I'm a huge Bolton Wanderers fan, so I thoroughly enjoyed this!
September 13, 2023
Great book.
September 14, 2023
Me gustó conocer más los inicios como jugador de Sam, su paso por el Bolton y el Blackburn ya como entrenador.
March 25, 2024
Why did I read this?
January 2, 2025
Exceeded my expectations, Big sam has got a rep for being a negative long ball manager but there's a far bit more to him
Enjoyed it!
Enjoyed it!
July 9, 2025
Not very subtle, doesn’t like referees much and talks quite a bit about “getting the lads into it” as you may expect. That said, he was quite innovative in terms of sports science and his love of jay jay okocha is real. Some good stuff - the timing is interesting as I think he took the England job shortly after. He clearly felt he was deserving of that job and should have had it long before then, so the eventual fall out and embarrassment is given quite an interesting context in the book.
All that said, he comes across surprisingly honesty and likeable
All that said, he comes across surprisingly honesty and likeable
July 28, 2023
Very enjoyable, and I don’t support a club Big Sam has played for or managed.
I would have liked more depth in his managing of Bolton, it’s easily his most iconic time, look where they were before Sam and where they are now. It was an incredible job. I’d have liked more depth on that.
I would have liked more depth in his managing of Bolton, it’s easily his most iconic time, look where they were before Sam and where they are now. It was an incredible job. I’d have liked more depth on that.
February 7, 2017
Written after Sam left West Ham but before he started (and finished) the English Manager post this is a romp through his time in football. Lots of tales of spats with players , managers and directors plus an insight into his time in the USA and his adoption of sports technology , training and nourishment techniques.
There are many biographies by footballers , this is one of the better ones I have read - the chapter giving his wife an opportunity to share her experiences is interesting and gives an insight into having to try to cope with the ups and downs of the football industry.
There are many biographies by footballers , this is one of the better ones I have read - the chapter giving his wife an opportunity to share her experiences is interesting and gives an insight into having to try to cope with the ups and downs of the football industry.
September 8, 2016
Entertaining biography of Big Sam that follows both his playing and management career. Plenty of stories, insights, and a good few laughs.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 36 reviews