Sam hails Harry magic

The 52-year-old will go head-to-head with the vastly-experienced Harry Redknapp at St James' Park full of admiration for his opposite number's staying power and expertise.

Allardyce said: "When you have lasted as long as Harry has and started when he started and you are getting to your 60th birthday having just signed a three-and-a half-year deal, that says it all."

He added: "He is, as a manager, one of the best in this country and has not been given the credit for it for one reason or another.

"He has been a terrific manager over the years and is now taking a Portsmouth side for the second time and not only dragged them from the depths of relegation from the Championship and into the Premier League, he has taken them from the depths of relegation from the Premier League and into a top eight - or maybe even a top-six - side this year.

"It just shows that the man is extremely clever in how he goes about his job as a manager."

Allardyce has built his own reputation on being able to spot a player having scoured the world for recruits during his time at Bolton. That is something he is continuing to do in his new post, and is well aware of Redknapp's ability to do the same.

He said: "He has spent a lot of money for a club like Portsmouth, but very wisely because of his international contacts.

"That is where I have come from over the last six or seven years, by building up the contacts internationally so the fear of buying a foreign player is perhaps less than other managers in the Premier League.

"That's where Harry has masterminded most of his managerial success, and he is, at the moment, doing very well that way."