Sam Allardyce will need backing from the boardroom, how important is it to have a strong chairman?
I came back to the club two summers ago for one reason and one reason only, and that was Peter Coates. The most important thing at a football club I think is the relationship between the chairman and the manager. If the chairman and the manager have got a good relationship and can work together then you can overcome things. One thing you are absolutely, absolutely certain to get in football and that is criticism, and sometimes it can be strong criticism, and what you need then is a chairman who knows about football, knows what the situation is, knows how difficult the bloody job is, and will let you get on and manage and won’t be influenced by outside people. Tony thanks for your time and we’d like to give you a free £50 bet in aid of a charity of your choice. I fancy Aston Villa to finally get some success against Manchester United in the FA Cup. I think Martin O’Neill will pick his strongest team while Sir Alex might rotate a few. I’m going to use my £50 to lay United at [1.98] – and
