Sam Allardyce: Budget not the reason I am leaving West Brom

After weeks of speculation, Allardyce confirmed on Wednesday that he will leave the Baggies after the final game of the campaign at Leeds.

The Dudley-born chief has been deciding whether or not to stay on as head coach ever since Albion’s relegation to the Championship was confirmed following defeat at Arsenal earlier this month.

In previous press conferences, the 66-year-old said the club’s budget would have to be competitive if he was to stay.

His decision to leave, therefore, has led to concerns amongst fans that the Baggies won’t have the transfer funds needed to make a promotion push next year.

When asked though, Allardyce insisted the club’s budget was not a reason why he has decided to leave – with the boss instead moving on because he believes he is a relegation fire-fighter rather than a manager who stays at a club long term.

“I was given assurances over the budget,” the 66-year-old said.

“But irrespective of that, it’s me being a short term manager and not being a long term manager.

“That is my pigeon hole, it has been my pigeon hole for six, seven years now.

“I think when you are put in that pigeon hole you might as well stay there.

“That is what I see myself as now, as a saviour, as a trouble-shooter, as a Red Adair – whatever you want to call it.

“I managed to accomplish that at many clubs prior to West Brom.

“I felt that I was going to accomplish it here, we did our best and got very close even if the points tally doesn’t show it.

“Certainly in the game, we got so so close to winning enough to stay up but we didn’t quite make it.

“I didn’t expect us to be in this position because I was confident in my ability to do it again. But I haven’t.”

Knowing Albion could be his last job in football, Allardyce admitted it has been very tough for him to decide to walk away.

But he hopes the club goes onto return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

"It’s been a long, hard, decision," Allardyce continued.

"There has been a lot of thought, a lot of discussion.

"I have had to think about what is best for me and what is best for the club.

"We worded my statement very carefully. We didn’t want any blame pointed at anybody – it’s just a decision that has been made.

"Obviously, I am flattered the club wanted me to stay on.

"I'm just disappointed that I haven’t done better, that I haven’t done more for the team.

"But I would also like to thank all the players and everybody behind the scenes for their commitment and their dedication to try and get us out of this difficult position.

"We haven’t quite made it. I have to accept that.

"But the future of the club will be bouncing back as quickly as possible I hope."