Now, West Ham United supporters may be surprised to learn how Sam Allardyce really feels about former Manchester United, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho.
After all, Sizeable Sam himself was in the Hammers dugout when Mourinho, frustrated by a dull 0-0 draw against Chelsea’s London neighbours, famously described his opposite number’s rather functional style as ‘football from the 19th century’.
Hence, Sam Allardyce’s iconic ‘we’ve out-tactic-ed him’ jibe in return.
But, speaking 11 years on from one of the most infamous managerial rows of the modern era, the one-time West Ham United honcho admits that Jose Mourinho’s fork-tongued nature is actually something he has grown to admire.
The question is, could David Sullivan handle this loosest of cannons? Well, the response given to Hammers News by a Sullivan spokesman said it all, really.
West Ham will ‘never’ hire Jose Mourinho, they exclaimed, casting doubt on his recent track record and the drama that usually follows in his wake. So that’s that, then. But it hasn’t stopped the mere idea from creating some pretty interesting debates.
Sam Allardyce thinks Jose Mourinho cannot join West Ham United
Speaking to talkSPORT following his departure from Fenerbahce a few weeks ago, former West Ham winger Joe Cole admitted he would relish the prospect of Mourinho taking control at the London Stadium.
There would be ‘fireworks’ aplenty, certainly. But also fury and fall-outs, albeit alongside perhaps an EFL Cup or another Conference League title later down the line.
As supporters of Manchester United in particular will tell you – three trophies in his first season but a bitter breakdown in his third – the rough must always be taken with the smooth when it comes to Mourinho.
And Allardyce, having worked for Sullivan himself between 2011 and 2015, cannot envisage his old boss having the energy for a Mentos-meet-Pepsi sort of collaboration.
“I couldn’t see David doing it, personally,” Allardyce muses. “I think it would be too much for him.
“I love [Mourinho]. I think he is great for the Premier League. I think the game loves him, and I think he can get the best out of [players].
“[But] have you seen how much he’s earned getting pay-offs? Millions and millions and millions and millions! Honestly, the biggest numbers I’ve ever seen.”
Matt Jarvis agrees with Allardyce as Mourinho banks £13 million from Fenerbahce
According to The Sun, Mourinho’s earnings on the back of sackings alone now total around £100 million.
He took home a colossal £13 million following his departure from Fenerbahce, despite failing to overhaul Galatasaray at the Super Lig summit and despite losing the faith of supporters with some extremely dull football and some very poor results against direct domestic rivals.
Furthermore, while the mere legend of Mourinho persists, the fact remains that football has not seen the 62-year-old as his mercurial, magnetic best since arguably that debut season at Old Trafford back in 2016/17.
“From a fan perspective, I think [the West Ham supporters] would like to see it,” former Hammers winger Matt Jarvis says while sitting opposite Allardyce.
“But from a practicality [perspective], I think it wouldn’t be the best idea.”
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