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David Gold backs Sam Allardyce despite rumours linking Paolo Di Canio with West Ham

Current Hammers manager out of contract in the summer

Pa
Tuesday 19 February 2013 19:16 GMT
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Sam Allardyce
Sam Allardyce (GETTY IMAGES)

West Ham co-chairman David Gold insists he is fully behind manager Sam Allardyce.

Paolo Di Canio's exit from Swindon, and West Ham's dip in form, had led to speculation that Gold and his partner David Sullivan were thinking of bringing the Hammers icon in to replace Allardyce at the end of the season.

Gold this morning retweeted posts from two West Ham fans calling for Di Canio to replace Allardyce, as well as two more of the opposing view.

Gold insists the club will not enter talks with Allardyce about extending his contract until the team are safe from relegation, but he did throw his weight behind the former Blackburn and Newcastle manager this evening with a tweet of his own, which read: "Always interesting to see the different opinions from people on twitter. My view is clear though - Big Sam is our man! dg."

Allardyce brought West Ham up from the npower Championship in his first season at Upton Park, but his direct style of play has alienated a section of the Hammers faithful.

Allardyce's men sit seven points above the Barclays Premier League relegation zone with 12 games of the season remaining.

PA

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