Sam Allardyce is the son of Agnes Allardyce and Robert Allardyce. His father was a police sergeant. Both parents originated from Scotland: His father from Nairn and his mother from Dumfries.
As a child, he supported Wolverhampton Wanderers and dreamed that one day he would play at and manage the club.
Moving into management, he took charge of Irish club Limerick in 1991, leading the club to the League of Ireland First Divison (second tier) title in 1991-92. He returned to England as a youth coach at Preston North End, also serving briefly as caretaker manager.
Allardyce has been labelled a long-ball manager by some analysts, though he has disputed this perception as “totally and utterly wrong”. He takes a modern technology and statistics-centred approach to tactics and coaching and has been praised for his organisational and man-management skills.