With Glenn Roeder's resignation at St James Park the rumour mill has gone into overdrive and Big Sam Allardyce is the the number one contender for the vacant post

Big Sam Allardyce is a colourful character who has brought vitality and determination to the game. He has also done a fantastic job at the Reebok, so the question should logically be why has he decided, seemingly suddenly, to leave?

The conspiracy theorists are having a field day (myself among them) - chairman Phil Gartside was not going to stump up the millions that Sam was after for the close-season changes that were felt as a necessity should Bolton wish to continue their climb up the table. This theory however, does not seem to hold much water as Sam has already spent a great deal, not least on Nicolas Anelka (not cheap at around £8m).

Another theory rests with the BBC’s so-called ‘ground-breaking documentary’ on transfer bungs and the idea that Allardyce may have felt unprotected by his chairman during his hour of need. This again holds even less water as Gartside was 100 per cent behind his boss during what must have been a torrid time for Sam.

Maybe Big Sam has another job i mind? With the managers post vacant at Newcastle this seems potentially plausible and Fulham could indeed be in need of a replacement should Lawrie Sanchez’s period in charge be brief.

The last, and possible the simplest theory is that Sam has decided to take a break from the game; be it a large or small break will invariably be connected to which managers are dismissed in the near future. Alan Curbishley took a similar break, which came to an end when a suitable job came along; what price Sam to complete his break after a nice summer vacation on a Caribbean beach?

There can be no denying the success that Allardyce brought to Bolton, especially when aligned with the comparatively small budget he ran the club on in his first years in charge. He also managed to motivate ageing players into one more push, from Youri Djorkaeff to Jay Jay Okocha. He has even manage to appease the ‘Incredible Sulk’ Anelka - and these attributes would suit a smaller club far more than the big spenders.

One thing is for sure: the football world needs Big Sam back as soon as possible.

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