Sam Allardyce shared a hilarious reaction on social media after spotting a striking mural of himself in his hometown of Dudley.
The former England and veteran Premier League manager has been immortalised in paint in the West Midlands market town, shown holding a bag of chips in one hand and eating one with the other.
Allardyce was born in October 1954 on the Old Park Farm Estate in Dudley, before moving to Bolton during his youth football career to play for the Wanderers.
‘Big Sam’ enjoyed a 21-year-long playing career and then moved into management in 1991, where he earned a reputation for his remarkable ability to save clubs from relegation.
Now, it seems that the 70-year-old has found a permanent place on the walls of Dudley, not just in its footballing folklore.
Reacting to the bizarre mural, Allardyce – deadpan as ever – said: ‘Just seen the mural that’s been sent of me in Dudley, my home town.
Sam Allardyce was immortalised in Dudley with a hilarious mural of him eating a bag of chips
The veteran Premier League manager said he was ‘absolutely privileged’ to see the artwork
Allardyce thanked the mystery artist behind the brush and said ‘it was a really good likeness’
‘Absolutely privileged, to be honest with you. Thought it was a really good likeness.’
The artist behind the brush remains a mystery, but that did not stop Allardyce from offering his thanks.
He added: ‘Chips looked a bit hot but really enjoyed seeing it. Whoever did it, thank you very much.’
Allardyce is arguably the most famous person to come out of Dudley, at least in the world of sport.
Another notable sportsperson to hail from the town was Duncan Edwards, a former Manchester United footballer and England international who tragically died in the 1958 Munich air disaster.
In popular culture, Sir Lenny Henry – the comedian, actor, and Comic Relief co-founder – also lays a claim to the title of Dudley’s most famous export.
Allardyce is yet to announce his retirement from management, having last taken charge of Leeds United in 2023 for just 30 days – the shortest-ever tenure for a Premier League manager.
In his legendary career, he also enjoyed stints at Newcastle United, Blackburn Rovers, West Ham, Sunderland, Everton, Crystal Palace and West Brom.
