Sam Allardyce claims he knew of Everton sacking before official dismissal

Sam Allardyce claims he knew he was to be sacked by Everton days before the axe fell because of leaks to the media but still maintains the majority of fans were happy with the job he did.

The 63-year-old was dismissed on Wednesday morning after a short meeting with majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri and it came as no surprise despite being in charge for just six months.

"I'm surprised how it came about. It seemed to be done and dusted through the media before I met Farhad," he told talkSPORT.

"I think it was out there in the open for a couple of days. That leaves you with the certainty of what was going to happen.

"I prepared myself for what was being said by the press a couple of days before.

"It was slightly disappointing. Who was involved in that I couldn't tell you, but something as delicate as that is something you want to be confidential.

"My meeting with Farhad was amicable but I expressed a disappointment with how it got out. I accept it and move on."

Fans' discontent had risen to a level which had made the Goodison Park atmosphere toxic and Allardyce, who was not wanted by a large number of supporters even before he was appointed, insists the vocal minority forced him out.

"I think there were certainly more Everton fans who were happy with what we were doing and going in the right direction than the ones that weren't," he told talkSPORT.

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"Those who show discontent are the ones who are more open and vocal about it. The ones who are satisfied don't really say too much.

"I would say most of them didn't want me out. Not everybody has the same opinion as some few but that has been fuelled up over many media centres - that happens today and I accept that."

Everton moved quickly to clear the decks following Allardyce's sacking with his backroom staff of Sammy Lee, Craig Shakespeare and Martyn Margetson released and director of football Steve Walsh replaced by PSV Eindhoven's Marcel Brands.

The Dutchman has been tasked with an overhaul of the system at the club, having first been contacted by the Toffees two years ago prior to Walsh's appointment.

"Everton are planning to have a different model and they are trying to get Everton to reach a higher level in the coming years," he told Dutch television channel NOS.

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"I am not going to Everton to change their culture. We must keep the culture that Everton have. We just want to improve things.

"I spoke to (Allardyce's predecessor) Ronald Koeman in the times that I have seen him here at Eredivisie matches and we spoke about Everton.

"His opinion was that it will not be easy but that Everton are a great club with fantastic people.

"The Premier League is the biggest league in the world and not an easy league and the expectations are high.

"In football, it is important to choose your direction which you do with scouts and managers but you must get the time and the chance to build something up and that is what I will be doing at Everton."

PA