Allardyce signs 18-month deal as new Toffees boss

Sam Allardyce has been confirmed as Everton’s new manager after signing an 18-month deal at Goodison Park.

The former England, Newcastle and Sunderland boss will take charge of the Toffees for the first time in tomorrow’s Premier League clash at home to Huddersfield.

Allardyce said: “I’ve always thought Everton was a great club. It is a great club. Obviously, the club has gone through a difficult spell and hopefully I can put that behind us as quickly as possible and start looking upwards again.”

Everton announced on Wednesday that they were finalising a deal to secure the services of Allardyce more than a month after sacking Ronald Koeman.

The 63-year-old had a watching brief as the Toffees put on their best display of the season to beat West Ham 4-0 at Goodison Park on Wednesday.

That was the final game of an eight-match spell in caretaker charge for under-23s boss David Unsworth and an uplifting way to finish what had been a difficult run.

Defeat against the Hammers would have seen Everton drop into the relegation zone but instead Allardyce takes over with the side having climbed to 13th, five points off the bottom three.

He returns to management six months after leaving his most recent post at Crystal Palace. Unsworth will return to his role with the U23s.

Sam Allardyce at Goodison Park on Wednesday.