Alious“I’ll Never Get Over England Betrayal – But Crystal Palace Was My Salvation,” Says Sam Allardyce
For most English football managers, earning a position within the national team setup is the ultimate accolade — a rare honour reserved for the elite. It’s a role historically held by legends like Sir Alf Ramsey, Sir Bobby Robson, and Terry Venables, all widely regarded as the best English tacticians of their time. Being chosen to lead the Three Lions is not only a symbol of national recognition but a once-in-a-lifetime chance to etch your name into footballing history by potentially delivering glory on the international stage.
For Sam Allardyce, that dream came true — but ended in disaster just as quickly as it began.
After dedicating decades to climbing the managerial ladder and building a reputation as a top-flight survival specialist, Allardyce finally reached the summit in 2016 when he was appointed England manager. It was a moment of vindication and pride. However, just 67 days and one match into the job, it all unraveled. A tabloid sting operation led to allegations of misconduct, and the Football Association swiftly terminated his contract.
The abrupt and public nature of the scandal left Allardyce devastated. Speaking candidly, he’s admitted that the emotional wounds from that episode still haven’t fully healed. The opportunity he had worked his entire career for vanished in a flash — a deeply personal and professional blow he describes as something he may never truly recover from.
Yet, in the depths of that despair, Allardyce found unexpected comfort — at Crystal Palace.
Shortly after his England exit, Palace came calling. The South London club offered him a chance at redemption, and in many ways, salvation. Allardyce has described his time at Selhurst Park as “feeling like heaven,” a stark contrast to the turmoil he endured just months earlier. The supportive environment, combined with the task of guiding the club to Premier League safety, reignited his passion for the game and gave him a purpose during a period when he could have easily walked away from football altogether.
Though the pain of what happened with England still lingers, Allardyce found healing and meaning in the unlikely sanctuary of Crystal Palace — a club that reminded him of the joy that football can still bring.
Alious
