And the prospect of Allardyce going toe-to-toe with Mourinho took a backward step when the ex-Porto boss left Stamford Bridge with a nice little £25m pay-off.
Mourinho v Allardyce Boxing Match Has Been Cancelled!
Allardyce: "Apart from not fancying me in a fight, charisma, talent...he is a very, very good man-manager and a very successful one in terms of the trophies he has won for Chelsea.
"From my point of view, I hope there is no clause in his contract which says he cannot work in this country because I will be sad to see him leave the Premier League."