One is guiding his side to a potential top half finish, only two years after getting them promoted and one is in only his second job in football, overseeing a relatively disappointing start to his tenure.
So why is Tim Sherwood held up as the future of English coaches, whilst Sam Allardyce is consistently undermined?
Sam Allardyce’s managerial career has now spanned over 900 games. In that time, he has won a healthy 39% of matches (Sherwood would appreciate this win percentage stat). His sides have consistently punched above their weight; his most successful spell in management would arguably be his stay at Bolton. A Championship team he led to the cusp of Champions League football and a major cup final.
‘Big Sam’ has always divided opinion in the way he sets his teams up and he has always played a direct and uncompromising style. But an effective one nonetheless.
It may not be a style that pleases all but it is one that has garnered results for over two decades. The only manager, who has managed for longer in England’s top flight, is arguably one who has enhanced his reputation more than any other, Arsene Wenger. Through the years he has built his teams almost perfectly to nullify and beat The Gunners.
However, when times are tough for an Allardyce side, there is constant pressure for his job, media speculation is always rife of an impending sacking, an Allardyce witch hunt is a common theme.
Compare this to the coverage that Tim Sherwood receives and it is almost laughable. The 46-year-old is treated on a par with the biggest names in the game. The coverage of Villa-Leicester was farcical before his official appointment – the former Spurs man was in the crowd and the viewers were treated to more shots of him than of the game itself. The win, when it did come, was also credited to him, although he had done nothing tactically for the game. Ironically that is similar for most of the games when he is manager anyway.
He is always given a relatively easy ride in the press and it’s easy to see why. He is a manager in the Harry Redknapp mould, perfect for a quote or a Vine, always talking but never saying anything meaningful. It is a clever ploy; having the media on his side is no doubt going to be beneficial for him as he guides Aston Villa to relegation.
Allardyce is treated as if he is a football dinosaur; it is an extremely disrespectful assessment and, simply put, a false one. He has always been ahead of the game in terms of his analysis and use of statistics.
Unfortunately, Sherwood is a manager that a football fan can easily take to – passionate and full of hot air – but it is interesting to see how both are treated.
With respect to Sherwood, he is at the start of his career and has time to build a reputation, but if in 20 years time, if he has one similar to ‘Big Sam’, he will have had a good career.
The West Ham man deserves a lot more respect from football fans and media alike and Sherwood, quite frankly, doesn’t deserve what he gets.
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