Allardyce targets promotion for West Ham

(GETTY IMAGES)

Sam Allardyce insists West Ham must quickly shake off their relegation "hangover" to make an immediate return to the Barclays Premier League.

Allardyce, 56, was today unveiled as the Hammers' new manager after succeeding Avram Grant, who was axed when the east London club dropped back into the npower Championship after finishing bottom of the table.

The former Bolton, Newcastle and Blackburn boss acknowledged promotion is all the more crucial with the Irons eventually set to move into the Olympic Stadium after next year's Games - and knows there will be plenty of competition for the one of the three coveted places.

"I have to instil a bit of discipline, magic and creativity, a bond among the players and staff to drive us on through a difficult season," said Allardyce.

"Lots of big teams are spending a lot of money to achieve the same goal, so it will not be an easy task.

"I have got to get rid of the hangover which relegation brings to a football club and transform that into a positive as soon as I can."

Allardyce - once touted as a potential England manager, but sacked by Blackburn in December - insists he has all the credentials needed to oversee a successful turnaround in fortunes.

"Without sounding too arrogant, with the experience I have gained in the Premier League, I will be trying to bring the club together with a spirit which will achieve the ultimate, which is to get promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking," he said.

"As difficult as that is going to be, it can be achieved. With a club the size of West Ham that needs to be done as soon as possible.

"The long-term goal is the Olympic Stadium and the team must be back in the Premier League when it is going to move into that great venue."

Allardyce has been quick to bring in Newcastle striker Kevin Nolan, and also Senegal defender Abdoulaye Faye from Stoke.

However, speculation continues that high earners like England internationals Robert Green, Carlton Cole and Scott Parker will all move on.

With the squad currently on holiday, the West Ham manager maintains no firm decisions have yet been taken either way.

"Before we all get together I've got an awful lot to sort out, then speak to them on an individual and group basis.

"The speculation is around Rob Green, Carlton Cole and Scott Parker, and at the moment we haven't had any concrete bids for those players.

"Other than that there is no rush to sell anyone else.

Allardyce added: "We will probably look at moving some of the players on because their desire is to play in Premier League.

"From a financial point of view, it suits us as well because the drastic loss in revenue is what we all have to face.

"The owners have to back up with their own money to try to help us get back in the Premier League.

"Some of the players have already left, and we will try to get the best possible squad we can.

"There are still some very good young and experienced players at the football club.

"If we all want to work together and go in the right direction, we can give it our best shot and hopefully that will be enough next season."

Allardyce hit back at criticism his team's style would not fit into the ethos of the east London club.

"When did West Ham play the West Ham way?" he said.

"It can't be the West Ham way if you get relegated, and the club's been up and down like a yo-yo [in recent years].

"I don't think the fans see that as playing the West Ham way.

"The West Ham way is about winning football matches and the enjoyment of winning.

"The fans are in the game to watch winning football, I'm in the game to play winning football and entertain the public, and that's what I do.

"Everywhere I've been I entertain the public, irrespective of the perception from the media that Sam Allardyce plays long ball."

Allardyce added: "The excitement of rebuilding the football club was the big pitch to me, that I can go and reinvent West Ham and make it a football club with sustainable success.

"Too often this club has had fleeting moments of grandeur, but too much depression."