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Big Sam seen as naive as opposed to corrupt in Spain

Without a doubt the biggest news over in England in the past 48 hours is the undercover investigation which caught Sam Allardyce, at the time England’s manager, offering his services to fake investors for £400,000. The FA responded by reaching a mutual agreement with the former Sunderland boss to step down, citing his behaviour as something they could not be tolerated.

The decision to part aways with Allardyce is featured in all of the major newspapers in Spain but doesn’t have that ‘big story’ feel you’ve seen in England. It’s worth remembering that a lot of LaLiga clubs fail to get significant media coverage over here anyway, so it shouldn’t mean that it’s a non-story, more that it’s less important then Real Madrid drawing to Borussia Dortmund.

Apart from the astonishing fact he was drinking a pint of wine, the most shocking thing from an English perspective was his openness about “getting around” the rules pertaining to third-party ownership. Now, let’s get one thing clear, third-party ownership isn’t seen as the devil incarnate as it is in England. While FIFA recently banned the system it’s been illegal in England since 2008. However Spanish clubs, alongside Portuguese ones, remain firmly in favour of investment companies sharing the cost/risk and intend to fight the ruling.

It’s worth remembering that Atletico Madrid survived and prospered due to this very system, buying and loaning in players who belonged to companies as opposed to a specific club. Radamel Falcao’s deal caused a lot of controversy with certain sources claiming that Atletico didn’t receive any of his eventual transfer fee. It’s speculated that his ‘owners’ had been paying the majority of his wages too while they waited for a super-rich side to pluck him from Madrid so they’d get a return on their investment. Monaco came calling despite the player not being overly keen on the idea.

“The position of first team coach is more than just training the team, it’s about representing both the football from that country and the image of it,” one Spanish journalist told me. There’s very little sympathy for Allardyce, who has previous when it comes to undercover investigations on football. “Attitudes, such as those of Sam Allardyce, cannot be allowed.”

And it’s a fair point. I questioned whether the reaction, both publicly and professionally, would have been the same should the head coach of Spain made the comments Allardyce did on camera. The response from fans was similar to that in England as some see it was disrespecting the national team whereas others saw it as naive, but not worthy of losing your job over. It was pointed out that it would also depend on who it was being exposed. The lesser the profile, the easier the decision.

When speaking to other journalists over here they all agreed that Allardyce was right to be sacked. In addition they hoped, although weren’t fully convinced, that should the shoe have been on the other foot then Spain would’ve also sacked their national coach. At times there’s an incessant need to go against the grain or public opinion, so the decision might not have been so clear cut in the eyes of the Spanish FA - guess we’ll never know for sure.

As for the comments on Gary Neville and Roy Hodgson there’s less of an issue for Spaniards. Sky’s leading football analyst doesn’t boast the best reputation over here but the comments about a number two knowing his role, or being put in his place, are seen as valid. "A coach should always be open to ideas and suggestions from his staff, but he needs to remain in charge and not allow himself to appear undermined.” The ‘Woy’ comment was inappropriate, especially considering his position, but hardly worthy of a fallout either.

In fact, instead of Sam Allardyce, it’s been the reaction from Rio Ferdinard and in particular Alan Shearer which has generated the most buzz. The former United defender labelled the England job as “comical” whereas Shearer’s “laughing stock” comment is carried by most headlines on the situation.

England’s whiter than white attitude towards football takes another blow in all of this. They’re so often portrayed as the pioneers of the sport who are ‘ahead of their time’ but it’s stories such as these which offer ammunition for other nations to fire back. Football itself is one big temptation for those involved as the money on offer is exorbitant. When something like this bloodies the nose of English football, there’s a sniggering from the rest.

The overall feeling is that the correct decision was made but not many particularly care about it. While the Premier League has a huge fanbase in Spain there’s less respect for the national side. Could Big Sam have changed the perception of England? We’ll never know but he can only have himself to blame. England continue to make the headlines for failure and scandals, not for achievements. What’s changed?