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Sam Allardyce reveals a deal was 'done and dusted' to take over at Man City in 2007 which would see the Bolton legend 'rebuild the club'... only for ex-England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson to be appointed by new owners

Sam Allardyce has claimed that he was in line to take over as manager of Manchester City in 2007, only for the club's new owners to decide on a different path despite a pre-existing agreement.

The 68-year-old revealed that he was due to become the new boss at the Citizens after leaving Bolton in 2007, and was set to replace the outbound Stuart Pearce.

He reportedly had an agreement in place with JD Sport owners John Wardle and David Makin, but the club ended up being sold that summer to Thaksin Shinawatra, with the new stewards of Man City preferring to appoint Sven-Goran Eriksson.