Sam Allardyce not worried about Everton sack despite Toffees planning summer shake-up

Sam Allardyce may leave Everton this summer [Photo: Courtesy]

Sam Allardyce has insisted he has no fears of the axe despite mounting speculation about his future.

The Everton boss has been silent amid the expectation of a summer shake up at Goodison, with PSV transfer guru Marcel Brands almost certain to arrive as director of football, potentially bringing a younger coach with him.

Yet with highly-rated Portuguese manager Paolo Fonseca also in the frame, along with former Watford boss Marco Silva, a relaxed Allardyce spoke out as he calmly dismissed the rumours.

“I have no problem with the security of my position and never have,” he said with emphatic intent.

“Only other people have created that insecurity. It is not an insecure position for me and never has been. There can be as much speculation as you like, but the reality is I have never felt insecure.

Allardyce insisted he is not worried about his future [Photo: Courtesy]

 “In my position, dealing with the pressures of the Premier League, pressure and insecurity for me comes when the team is not playing well enough and should be playing better. That is my concern.

“I sit and worry about team’s performances – or lack of – and not the insecurity on whether I lose my job or not. That will be determined by the players on how well they perform, or on not getting results.”

Allardyce has other things to worry about, most immediately how to stop rampant Manchester City on Saturday night, given the Premier League champions-elect have a powerful motive for victory.

If they can win at Goodison, then it will set up the delicious opportunity of winning the title in front of their own fans at the Etihad next weekend – against bitter rivals Manchester United.

For the Everton boss, that is his only focus, and he explained that worrying about his future would simply be counter-productive.

“I don’t worry about that because if I did I would underperform myself and I can’t afford to underperform myself,” he added.

“I accept the challenge and pressures that come with management and move on with my job to try and create opportunities for the team to win.

Everton are struggling in the Premier League [Photo: Courtesy]

“Games like this one lift you, of course it does. Those games are a huge challenge to you. There’s the odd occasion when everything goes your way and you can take something from the team at the top of the league.

“I think I remember the confidence that we gained at Palace when we went to Chelsea and won. And that particular plan worked well on the day. So I think it can happen and we have to believe it can happen for us.”

Allardyce in fact, has the sixth best record in the Premier League since he arrived at Goodison in November, recording just two points less than Chelsea in that time and six more than Arsenal.

For the Blues boss, that is a record he aims to continue even against the runaway leaders. “Everton is the only team Pep hasn't beaten, so let’s hope that is still the same on Saturday night.

“He's proven to be one of the top managers and he has chosen to be in the Premier League, which is always a challenge to pit your wits against some of the best.”

Everton will give Idrissa Gueye a fitness test on Saturday morning, after missing his country Senegal's friendly with Bosnia with a muscle tear.