Premier League: Sam Allardyce resigns as Crystal Palace manager

Crystal Palace boss Sam Allardyce has decided to quit his job after just five months in charge and despite having reached his objective, which was to rescue the club from relegation. Allardyce replaced Alan Pardew in December, when the Eagles were just one point above the relegation zone. He signed a two-and-half-year contract with the club and led them to a 14th-place finish after collecting eight wins out of 21 games. "I have no ambitions to take another job," Allardyce said. "I want to be able to savour life while I am still relatively young, and when I am still relatively healthy enough to do all the things I want to do, like travel, spend more time with my family and grandchildren without the huge pressure that comes with being a football manager. This is the right time for me. I simply want to be able to enjoy all the things you cannot really enjoy with the 24/7 demands of managing any football club, let alone one in the Premier League." Sam Allardyce never got relegated from the Premier League and he is one of the most prolific managers in the top flight as only Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger, Harry Redknapp and David Moyes have managed more matches in English football's top division. His decision is rather surprising as last week he revealed his plans to improve the squad during the summer transfer window. Claudio Ranieri is 11/10 at SkyBet to become the next Crystal Palace manager, Roberto Mancini is 5/1 and Marco Silva is 8/1.