Sam Allardyce: Why I didn’t bring Peter Reid back to Sunderland

Reid was one of the names linked with becoming Allardyce’s assistant manager at the Stadium of Light, before ex-Sunderland midfielder Paul Bracewell was appointed as the new number two last week.

The Mail understands that Reid was interested in the position, to return to the club where he spent seven years in charge.

But Allardyce - who has known Reid since their playing days together at Bolton in the 1970s - did not want to put his friendship with the Scouser in jeopardy by working alongside him in the dug-out.

Allardyce said: “Reidy is a very good friend and I’ve never been a believer in appointing friends in coaching.

“One of my best friendships dwindled in the pub business – we still talk, but it challenged that friendship too much – and that taught me to go into football and find people that I can have good relations with but without being over-friendly.

“Would I have like to have done? Yes, I would. But I’ve always had that policy.

“As much as I know Reidy would have loved to come back, I have to stick to my own beliefs.”