EX-WANDERERS boss Sam Allardyce has resigned at Crystal Palace and claims he has finished with football management.

The 62-year-old, who lives in Bromley Cross, led the Eagles to safety in the Premier League this season after replacing Alan Pardew in December.

The Selhurst Park job had been his first in football since leaving his post as England manager after just 67 days and one match in charge.

Allardyce led Wanderers into the Premier League in 2001 and to four consecutive top-eight finishes, including a first-ever European campaign, before quitting in 2007.

He then managed Newcastle, Blackburn, West Ham and Sunderland before taking the England job he had coveted for much of his time at Bolton.

“I have no ambitions to take another job," Allardyce said in a statement this evening.

“I want to be able to savour life while I am still relatively young, and when I am still relatively healthy enough to do all the things I want to do, like travel, spend more time with my family and grandchildren without the huge pressure that comes with being a football manager.

“This is the right time for me. I simply want to be able to enjoy all the things you cannot really enjoy with the 24/7 demands of managing any football club, let alone one in the Premier League.”