Sam Allardyce reacts to giant mural of ex-England manager eating ORANGE chips in hometown

Former England manager Sam Allardyce says he is "absolutely privileged" after a 10ft mural showing him eating orange chips appeared in his hometown. Allardyce was born and raised in Dudley and the artwork is believed to have been pasted onto a wall on Union Street in the town centre.

Orange chips are a Black Country speciality and the mural depicts Allaradyce wearing a suit and tie and enjoying a bag of them. Mystery surrounds the origin of the mural, though, with the artist not leaving a signature.

Local resident Scot Simmons told the BBC : "How did he do it without anyone seeing? Did he just put it up in a couple of minutes? Is he trying to remain mysterious?"

"Looking at it you don't know how good it is till you come down and see it. It's put Dudley on the map. Big Sam, immortalised here, yeah it's brilliant."

Fellow local Andy Smith added: "Local lad eating orange chips, what more do you want? There is a genuine Banksy in Birmingham, perhaps this is Dudley's answer to Banksy."

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Despite the mystery surrounding the artist behind the mural, Allardyce has given the artwork his seal of approval. "Absolutely privileged to be honest with you, I think it was a very good likeness," he told ITV News.

"Chips look a bit hot, but I really enjoyed seeing it. Whoever did it, thank you very much."

Allardyce has not managed a club since a short stint at Leeds United in 2023 where he was unable to prevent them being relegated to the Championship. However, he has not ruled out a return to the dugout if the circumstances are right.

"I would listen to anybody who picks up the phone and asks for my help," Allardyce told Mirror Football earlier this year. "But it would need to be a good project where we're all pulling in the same direction.

"You may think that always happens at a football club but, believe me, it does not. Everyone has to align on the same pathway.

"I'm 70 now but I wouldn't have a problem going back to work if the right opportunity comes along – why not? Never say never, but we all have our sell-by date, don't we?"

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