In October 2015, Sunderland found themselves 19th in the Premier League and without a manager.
Dick Advocaat quit the club after a disastrous start to the season, prompting owner Ellis Short into swiftly appointing Sam Allardyce as the Dutchman’s successor in a move that was widely backed by supporters.
@SunderlandAFC Potentially great appointment – Now let him do the bloody job!! Cx
— Carole Foster (@calfoz) October 9, 2015
@SunderlandAFC @NiallQuinn91 Fantastic news
— david robertson (@DRobertson08) October 9, 2015
https://twitter.com/Kelv20/status/652541303805374464
@SunderlandAFC welcome big Sam now let's get cracking on a win
— Margywelsh1959@gmail (@margywelsh20) October 9, 2015
@SunderlandAFC great stuff!!
— paul coffee (@Press_Coffee) October 9, 2015
@SunderlandAFC Magnificent appointment.
— donkeyvolley (@Donkey_Volley) October 9, 2015
@SunderlandAFC best choice for me @big Sam
— Richard Bell (@RichardBell64) October 9, 2015
And in the end, it proved to be a move they were right to endorse. Under Allardyce, Sunderland managed to avoid relegation, finishing the 2015/16 Premier League season in 17th and two points above rivals Newcastle United, who were not as fortunate.
What Allardyce was able to accomplish at the Stadium of Light, however, would not have come as a surprise to everyone.
The 64-year-old had gained a reputation of being a bit of a survival specialist, often steering the teams he has managed away from the drop zone and closer to mid-table, a theme he carried into his next club job with Crystal Palace.
Had he not taken the England job, which he lost after just one game following a controversial Telegraph investigation, Sunderland could have been the ones sitting where Crystal Palace are now instead of being in League One.
As far as the 2015/16 Premier League campaign goes, though, it will be considered a job well done by Allardyce given what he walked into.
Short’s move to bring him in was a wise one and one other Premier League owners are almost certain to emulate in the future should the former Sunderland and Crystal Palace boss make himself available.
