Stewart Downing ‘disappointed’ for Sam Allardyce after West Ham exit

Stewart Downing has admitted feeling disappointment over Sam Allardyce’s West Ham departure.

Allardyce’s four-year spell at Upton Park was brought to an end after the final Premier League game of the season on Sunday.

The 66-year-old was not a popular figure with Hammers fans, but Downing was sorry to see him go and has thanked him for helping rejuvenate his career after a disappointing time at Liverpool prior to joining the east London club in 2013.

"You could see on the manager's face that he was disappointed and he has thanked us for the work we put in for him," the England midfielder said.

"He was a great manager to play for and obviously took me out of the situation I was in at Liverpool where I was not playing and I've played nearly every game for him since I've been here.

"I'm disappointed for him because he's a good man to play for and first-class whenever I had any problems and such like. It's a big decision for the club, but obviously Sam moves on."

West Ham finished 12th in the Premier League in Allardyce’s final campaign and Downing believes whoever takes over from the former Bolton boss will have an exciting job on their hands.

Slaven Bilic, the club’s former defender, is the hot favourite with the bookmakers, while Roberto Di Matteo, David Moyes and Marcelo Bielsa are also being talked about as potential targets.

"Whoever comes in has obviously got really good players and we've proved this season that we can mix it with the best," Downing added, in the interview with West Ham TV.

"I'm sure there will be a lot of changes in the summer. Sam Allardyce and his backroom will go, so there is going to be a whole new management side with new ideas.

"I'm guessing there will be new players coming in because there will be people leaving who are out of contract etcetera, so there will be a lot of changes for what is a big season for us ahead of going to the Olympic Stadium the year after. We need to start it well."