... he will arrive in the north-east with his name in the headlines once again due to Panorama's investigation into corruption in football.
Let us stress he has protested his innocence, off course, and he comes to St James' Park on Sunday with his "budget on a shoe string" side nine places ahead of Glenn Roeder's Newcastle.
Roeder: "I have a lot of respect for Sam Allardyce. He has proved to be a very good manager down the years.
"They are doing really well and the win against Liverpool just reminds everybody what a good side they are.
"We need the three points to push up the table, and I am sure our boys will be ready for it."