Sam Allardyce, 64, is rumoured to be taking to the dance floor on the imminent series of Strictly Come Dancing, a world away from his lengthy career in football.
In an unearthed interview, Sam spoke of life with his spouse Lynne and their family after hitting the headlines in 2015.
The football manager insisted he looks back at his time at West Ham as “four great years”.
Following this, he said his time off work was a “big bonus” as he managed to finally spend time with family.
At the time, he told The Mirror: “Spending time with the family is a big bonus.
“I’m watching more football than when I was at West Ham and I couldn’t have written a book if I was still managing, no way.”
He added: “I enjoyed my time there: Everything we achieved, the challenge, living in London, it was a great time and experience for my family.
“I hardly ever came back to my family home in Bolton because the grandkids always wanted to come to London for half-terms, bank holidays and long weekends.
“It was a good time for me and my family. Believe me, I look back on West Ham in a good way.”
Sam met his wife Lynne when he was a youth team player at Bolton Wanderers.
The pair tied the knot in June 1974 and have two children together.
Sam previously spoke of his wife’s reaction when he told her he was leaving the Bolton Wanderers.
He told The Telegraph: “It wasn’t easy.
“My wife was a Bolton girl who didn’t want to move but I had to say, ‘This is the way I am, you married me, you know what I’m like, you’re going to have to come. Bad luck.
“‘You are going to have to be upset, you are going to have to be miserable but we’re going to have to get on with life, make new friends, find a new home.
“‘I’ve got to get out there and try to make a s**t-load of money because when I am finished, I will be a long time finished.’”
Sam later moved on to various other teams, with his last job being the manager of Everton last May.
Now with some time in schedule, the football star is rumoured to be a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing.
Last night, The One Show presenters Matt Baker and Stacey Dooley said they will be announcing the first three contestants on the show tonight.
But, earlier today Iain Lee appeared to let slip the names on Good Morning Britain.
He told Ben Shephard: “They are going to announce the first three people on a show called The One Show. It’s going to be Sam Allardyce, Jamie Laing and Anneka Rice.”
Taken aback by his outburst, Ben replied: “They are announcing it later and you have already announced it?” promoting Iain to reply: “Oops, Sorry.”
