Who is big Sam? We take a look at the man who will be the next manager of the England team

NEW England boss Sam Allardyce was saved from a heart attack by watching the Three Lions in action.

Most fans get palpitations following the nation’s megabucks flops in major tournaments.

But a friendly seven years ago helped Big Sam spot the danger.

Problems had been building for ten years and he was alerted by a strange feeling in his chest during the game against Brazil in Doha, Qatar.

An operation removed a blockage from his arteries and he was back on the touchline in three weeks.

Fighter Sam, 61, is the FA’s big hope to lead England to long-overdue glory.

He said of his scare: “I was sunbathing on the beach in Doha when England were playing Brazil there.

“I was relaxed and stress-free, but I had this discomfort in my chest.

“When I got back, I went to see the club doctor. The specialist was so pleased that I saw him almost straight away because it prevented me from having a heart attack.

“It could have happened within weeks or a couple of months.”

The Three Lions were blasted for their lack of work ethic and battling spirit after they were dumped out of Euro 2016 by Iceland.

But these are the qualities the ex- Sunderland boss has by the bucketload.

Sam grew up in a council house in Dudley, West Mids, with police sergeant dad Robert, mum Mary who worked part-time making golf bags and older siblings Mary and Robert.

Sam said: “I was a mistake apparently after mum had a rare night out with dad.”

His dad taught him the meaning of discipline, which has been a watchword throughout his career.

Sam said: “My old man always said you only get what you graft for. It doesn’t matter how intelligent you are, how much education you’ve got, you’ll only get there on work rate.

“My dad was a policeman for 25 years. Any problems on our estate were always sorted out by Bob Allardyce. If we got into any trouble we’d be in trouble with my old man.”

My dad said you only get what you graft for

He found a passion for football and was spotted by a Bolton Wanderers scout and joined the team in the 1960s, earning £4 and there was no sign-on fee.

Sam endured savage training sessions and had to sweep the terraces.

He recalled: “Those menial tasks were part of a young pro’s education which we all accepted, but they don’t do it today because of objections from the Professional Footballer’s Association, which was extremely short-sighted.

“The PFA argued it was slave labour, but it taught kids discipline and make them appreciate it more when they became fully-fledged pros rather than getting it all the moment they signed.”

He also took on extra labouring jobs which would have today’s pampered England squad quaking in their boots.

During his summer breaks he bought houses and did them up, saying: “I would go in and knock down walls and help out.

“Right as a very young kid from when I went to Bolton, I would always work in the summer anyway.

“I went cutting the grass in the parks, I went working in laboratories making aspirins, because you’d get paid more than you were earning as a footballer.”

Sam met his wife Lynne while at Bolton. They have been married for 42 years and have son Craig, 41, a football agent, and daughter Rachael, 37.

He said: “I met Lynne and I thought I’m not going to wait years, I’m going to get married and have kids and I’ll have to have my own house. I’ll have to graft for it. If I don’t make it as a footballer I’ve had experiences in-between that might help me.”

As a no-nonsense defender he helped Bolton win promotion to the top tier in 1978. He was nicknamed Super Sam Bionic Man because of the way he got back up quickly after bruising collisions.

In the second half of his career he played for Sunderland, Millwall, Coventry, Huddersfield and Preston plus US club Tampa Bay Rowdies.

Then he moved into management with Irish club Limerick. He recalled: “When we were short of money for wages, the chairman, Father Joe Young, put out the word to his mates. He called in a few favours. Divine intervention.”

He got Notts County and Bolton promoted with limited resources and saved Sunderland from Premier League relegation last season without any big signings.

Sam was a pioneer of sports science, somewhat surprising given he struggled at school and only discovered he was dyslexic aged 35.

Taking Bolton into the UEFA Cup put him in the final two for the England job when Sven-Göran Eriksson left ten years ago. But the FA opted for Steve McClaren.

Other setbacks have seen him sacked by Newcastle, Blackburn and Blackpool.

In 2006 the BBC accused him of taking payments for transfer deals. But investigations failed to prove any wrongdoing.

In 2012 he got West Ham promoted to the Premier League.

Mid-table finishes followed but fans did not like his direct style of play, often calling for “Fat Sam” to be sacked.

He left West Ham by mutual consent and last October took over at struggling Sunderland.

His incredible feat in saving them from relegation proved his toughness once more and finally earned him his England shot.

If he can pass on his work ethic to his young players he might even prove his critics wrong by being a success at the very top level.

What he thinks of life

All this tippy tappy stuff is all a load of b******s

BIG SAM ALLARDYCE

“I’m not suited to Bolton or Blackburn, I would be more suited to Internazionale or Real Madrid. It wouldn’t be a problem for me to go and manage those clubs because I would win the double or the league every time.”

“I don’t think there is any coach more sophisticated than me any more, that’s not trying to criticise any other coaches. But there is only Arsene Wenger who has done it longer than me. I’m just as good as everybody at this stage.”

“The lingering long-ball s***, the old style, all that rubbish that’s never been me and never been a part of what I am.”

“The only decisions I’m making at the moment are whether I have tea, coffee, toast or cornflakes in the morning.”

“Today was about our lack of ability to not produce the ability we’ve got.”

On sorting out player contracts at Bolton: “I have got to get this done now because my wife says I have got to have some holidays.”

On international teams playing friendlies: “Now we have another two weeks to wait to play our next game to let stupid football associations make money from friendlies.”

On his feud with then Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez: “I don’t see why I won’t be inviting him for a glass of wine after the game. I went in for a glass when Liverpool beat us 2-0 and he spoke about me in the papers. But I was big enough to walk in and test how good his red wine is.”

On Jose Mourinho: “I don’t give a s*** to be honest. He can’t take it because we’ve out-tacticed him, out-witted him. He just can’t cope.”

“I won’t ever be going to a top-four club because I’m not called Allardici, just Allardyce.”

“Hopefully Andy (Carroll) has only tweeted his hamstring.”

“There are scientists who will tell you that spirit, because it can’t be measured, doesn’t exist. B*******. It does exist.”

How the world sees him

He knows more about football than he does his own family

SUNDERLAND’S YOUNES KABOUL

FORMER Arsenal ace Martin Keown: “When I played against teams managed by Sam Allardyce I used to visualise a sliding tackle on one of their players that would carry me over the touchline and then take him out into the dugout.”

Chris Sutton, ex-England forward: “England need a manager who has clout. It’s crying out for a Big Sam. Sam has this old-fashioned thing levelled at him, but that’s actually not fair.”

Ex-Newcastle goalie Steve Harper: “He still blows his top every now and again, people talk about Sir Alex Ferguson’s hairdryer.

“But Sam has got a hairdryer of his own which is something to behold.”

Sir Alex Ferguson: “With Sam’s experience, he is the obvious choice.”

Ex-Notts County player Jermaine Pennant: “If you want to stay in the league, Sam’s the man you want, but for the national team?”

Jose Mourinho: “I respect him as a coach, a person – and as a coach he has had a beautiful career.”

Mick McCarthy: “Sam’s just been excellent, I think.

“I don’t know how many things he’s won. Promotions, stays in the league. He gets the best out of people.”

Sir Trevor Brooking: “That’s the thing about Sam - he’s always made the best use of the players available.”

Neil McDonald, Sam’s former assistant at West Ham: “There are a lot of young players in that squad and Sam would bring some fun back.

“He’d lighten the mood and motivate players.”

Kevin Nolan, former Bolton and West Ham captain: “We all thought he would get the England job when he was interviewed in 2006.”

Phil Brown, Sam’s former assistant at Bolton: “He has been a trailblazer throughout his career.”