SAM ALLARDYCE has revealed he endured the “terrifying” experience over head missiles while in Dubai.
The former boss was visiting the UAE city for a short break, only to be caught in the conflict between the , and .
Sam Allardyce returned from Dubai after witnessing the conflict in the Middle EastCredit: YouTube
He took charge of England for one game in 2016Credit: PA
Dubai has been targeted by retaliatory missile and drone attacks launched by Iran.
, 71, saw first-hand the horror of war as he witnessed drones being shot out of the sky.
He recalled his ordeal on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast after returning to .
He said: “I’m happy to be back because of the devastating stuff that happened in Dubai, which is where I was stuck.
“When I landed back at Manchester Airport, I was a bit relieved to say the least.
“It was just unbelievable to be there and actually be thinking, ‘How is this going to escalate? Is it going to get worse?’
“All of a sudden we heard this pop in the sky.
“We looked up and the missiles and drones were coming over.
“They were shooting them down and intercepting them, so I shot back to the hotel to get back to [my wife] Lynne.”
Allardyce enjoyed a long career in Premier League , having taken charge of clubs such as Bolton, Blackburn, , , , , , and .
He did have a spell in charge of the Three Lions but left the role by mutual consent after just one game, following allegations of malpractice.
He was in Dubai with his wife Lynne as he was overseeing an annual legends match between English and Scottish players.
Allardyce was left impressed with the response of the local officials in Dubai after the incident.
Sam Allardyce's managerial career
SAM ALLARDYCE has taken charge of 12 different clubs and England during his long career in football management...
Leeds United (2023)
- Matches: 4
- Record: 0 Wins | 1 Draw | 3 Losses
- Win Rate: 0.0%
West Bromwich Albion (2020–2021)
- Matches: 26
- Record: 4 Wins | 7 Draws | 15 Losses
- Win Rate: 15.4%
Everton (2017–2018)
- Matches: 26
- Record: 10 Wins | 7 Draws | 9 Losses
- Win Rate: 38.5%
Crystal Palace (2016–2017)
- Matches: 24
- Record: 9 Wins | 3 Draws | 12 Losses
- Win Rate: 37.5%
England (2016)
- Matches: 1
- Record: 1 Win | 0 Draws | 0 Losses
- Win Rate: 100.0%
Sunderland (2015–2016)
- Matches: 31
- Record: 9 Wins | 9 Draws | 13 Losses
- Win Rate: 29.0%
West Ham United (2011–2015)
- Matches: 181
- Record: 68 Wins | 46 Draws | 67 Losses
- Win Rate: 37.6%
Trophies: Championship Play-off Winner (2012)
Blackburn Rovers (2008–2010)
- Matches: 90
- Record: 32 Wins | 24 Draws | 34 Losses
- Win Rate: 35.6%
Newcastle United (2007–2008)
- Matches: 24
- Record: 8 Wins | 6 Draws | 10 Losses
- Win Rate: 33.3%
Bolton Wanderers (1999–2007)
- Matches: 371
- Record: 153 Wins | 104 Draws | 114 Losses
- Win Rate: 41.2%
Trophies: First Division Play-off Winner (2001)
Notts County (1997–1999)
- Matches: 145
- Record: 56 Wins | 39 Draws | 50 Losses
- Win Rate: 38.6%
Trophies: Football League Third Division (1997–98)
Blackpool (1994–1996)
- Matches: 102
- Record: 44 Wins | 23 Draws | 35 Losses
- Win Rate: 43.1%
Limerick (1991–1992)
- Matches: 27
- Record: 14 Wins | 10 Draws | 3 Losses
- Win Rate: 51.9%
Trophies: League of Ireland First Division (1991–92)
Overall Career Record
- Matches: 1,018
- Record: 395 Wins | 267 Draws | 356 Losses
- Win Rate: 38.8%
Total Trophies: 4 (plus 2 Play-off Final victories)
He added: “I have to tell everybody how brilliantly they handled the situation in Dubai. There was some damage.
“As far as I knew, there was only one fatality, one person died.
“Most of the time it was only the debris – unlike what a lot people panicked about with AI [videos] showing the Burj Khalifa burning.
“There wasn’t any of that, but it was terrifying.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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