Former manager surprised at Moyes’ resignation

Former Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce yesterday spoke of his surprise following David Moyes’ decision to resign as Blck Cats manager.

With Sunderland facing debts of £110million and a drop of revenue of £70million from the lucrative television deal, Moyes felt he wasn’t the man to help Sunderland bounce straight back from the drop, given the financial restrictions facing the club.

The club is in line for a £44million parachute payment, plus key players including Jordan Pickford and Lamine Kone will be sold, but there have been no guarantees that money would be used to help revamp the squad given the debt and drop in income.

Moyes had also come under increasing pressure from fans in recent months, while there have been widespread reports of increasing tension behind the scenes with Moyes critical of the attitude of some players in recent weeks.

Moyes took over as Sunderland boss from Allardyce, who left to take the England job, albeit briefly. Allardyce feels Moyes has nothing to be ashamed of but should think carefully about his next move.

Allardyce, prior to quitting as Crystal Palace yesterday, said: “I am surprised. For David, it is disappointing, I am sure.

“Moving away from one football club is no disgrace any more, it happens so often. Whether you deserve it or don’t, it just happens. But then you move to the next job and look at the resources.

“If you think you can get some success take the job, if you can’t don’t bother going back in because it’s too difficult.”

Meanwhile, former England manager Roy Hodgson expects Moyes to return soon enough and he hasn’t ruled out a return to management for himself either.

Hodgson said: “David is an excellent manager. Unfortunately, sometimes when you take on difficult jobs like Sunderland the jobs are perhaps stacked against you.

“I’m very sad for him and very sad for the club, but David will certainly bounce back because managers and coaches of his quality do not grow on trees.”

Asked if he would be interested in the Sunderland job himself, Hodgson said: “I’m not after a job, but, at the same time, I am not looking to turn down jobs. If one day someone comes to me and says, ‘We’d like you to take on this job’ and I like the idea, then I’d be more than happy to do it.”