Marco Silva shoots down Sam Allardyce's criticism of his record

The Everton manager hit out at the Portuguese’s managerial track record

Silva has hit back at Allardyce's comments (Getty)

Watford boss Marco Silva has hit back at Sam Allardyce – who recently claimed that the Portuguese’s managerial track record “has got no comparison” with his own.

Silva was Everton’s first choice as a replacement for Ronald Koeman, but Watford were unsurprisingly hesitant to let him leave.

Everton eventually appointed Allardyce on a short-term contract instead, but the former Crystal Palace boss has insisted that Silva was never ahead of him in the running for the role.

“Let's put it this way,” said Allardyce. “If you look at my track record, why wouldn't I be here irrespective of Marco Silva?

“I have every respect for Marco Silva and I am not criticising Marco Silva but his track record has got no comparison whatsoever with mine.

“He got Hull City relegated [last season]. That is perception. We have not to live in perception at our level. We have to live in reality and the reality is that I was spoken to.”

But Silva has hit back at Allardyce, claiming that his record speaks for itself.

Allardyce was eventually appointed (Getty)

“I read what he said, but when he made this comparison it does not make sense,” said Silva after Watford’s 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.

“It is the same thing if I compare his work with a national-team coach like Gareth Southgate.

“It's like me comparing the five goals Richarlison has scored in the Premier League with Peter Crouch [who has scored 207 goals in his club career]. Crouch is nearly 37, Richarlison is 20 - Crouch has played so many games [669] and Richarlison far less.

“Go and see what he [Allardyce] was doing when he was 40 years old, or see what he was doing in his first seven seasons as a coach.

“Then look at what I am doing at the same age - or you can wait until I am 63 years old, and then we can compare what I have done.”