Allardyce heart op warning to all professional football managers

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson insists Sam Allardyce's health problems should serve as a reminder to the rest of the managers in English football.

Many other managers, including Graeme Souness, Gerard Houllier and Joe Kinnear, have also been affected by heart problems down the years, with football management viewed as one of the more life-consuming, high-pressure jobs around.

Hodgson, who is a good friend of Allardyce's, said: "What 'Big Sam' has done is a lesson to us all - he has had regular check-ups.

"This check-up has shown an abnormality or slight problem, which can easily be corrected. But if you don't have the check-up, you don't always get the warning signs.

"Quite a few people I know who have had very serious heart operations, they've had no warning signs.

"What this little episode has proven to us all is that it's Sam this week, it could be you next week.

"I know Sam is someone who looks after his fitness. But when you get up to our age, past 50, you have to be aware that changes are going to occur in your body."