Real Madrid legend: Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce taught me all I know
That ringing endorsement of Sam Allardyce came from Real Madrid legend Ivan Campo, who played under him at Bolton Wanderers.
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Hide AdCampo has played at the top of the game, including five years with the Spanish giants, where he was coached by two managerial greats, Vicentre del Bosque and Guus Hiddink.
But Big Sam, who expertly kept Sunderland in the Premier league this season, is up there with the best says the former Spain international.
Bolton pulled off a coup when they brought in the curly-hair defender/ midfielder to the Reebok in 2002, Campo going on to play almost 200 times for the Lancashire club and enjoying his life there.
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Hide Ad“Sam taught me everything I know when I made the move from Spain to England,” Campo, now 42, said in an interview with 888sport.com.
“He taught me how to adjust to life in the Premier League.
“Sam is a great coach and I have great memories of him.
“His man-management was the reason that he was able to attract the top talent such as Fernando Hierro to Bolton.”
Campo was speaking to 888sport.com ahead of this weekend’s all-Madrid Champions League final.
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Hide AdHe believes Real striker Gareth Bale can repeat his 2014 feat of bagging the European winner and can go on to be the planet’s best player.
“He can certainly decide the final again with his talent and skill and because he likes to drift into the middle like Ronaldo,” said Campo.
“Gareth Bale can become the best player in the world. He definitely has the potential and he has developed massively since joining Real Madrid.”