Johnson: ‘Allardyce is the right man for West Ham’

Evening Standard football correspondent Simon Johnson believes Sam Allardyce is the right man to establish West Ham as a Premier League club.

There has been much speculation about the future of the Hammers' boss in recent weeks, and he admits he won't sign a new contract until the club's top-flight safety is secured.

Names like Paolo Di Canio and Harry Redknapp have been mentioned in conjunction with the Upton Park hot-seat, but Johnson insists the club need look no further than their current boss.

He said: "I think Sam Allardyce is the right man to establish West Ham in the Premier League. It's important for any club newly promoted to the top-flight to stabilise and build slowly.

"And after that they can maybe look for a more flamboyant coach to play the football they want to take them to the next level."