Sam Allardyce reveals why he would not take Watford job

In the latest episode of his ‘No Tippy Tappy Football’ Podcast, Allardyce was asked about recent comments made about Watford by former player Tom Ince.

Ince had, in a separate podcast, claimed that players lacked respect for Watford head coaches, who players knew “had no control” at the club.

Now, Allardyce has added to such the suggestion by claiming the club’s hierarchy had told him how to play, if he was given the job.

“I got interviewed at Watford before Nigel [Pearson],” he revealed. “[Sir] Elton [John] was in LA, I think, and rang me up and said, ‘Come on, Sam, take the job’.

“It was very nice having a phone call from Elton John, I must admit. But I met with the board, sat in the boardroom, and went, ‘I can’t take this job’.

“They were telling me what to do, saying, ‘Play this way, play that player, this manager’s not been playing that player and so on. So in the end Nigel did a fabulous job.”

Allardyce’s claim is just the latest of a long string of comments from people in the game, including former players and staff.