Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterFour Four TwoGet FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Become a Member in Seconds Unlock instant access to exclusive member features.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.You are now subscribedYour newsletter sign-up was successfulWant to add more newsletters?Five times a weekFourFourTwo DailyFantastic football content straight to your inbox! From the latest transfer news, quizzes, videos, features and interviews with the biggest names in the game, plus lots more.Signup +Once a week...And its LIVE!Sign up to our FREE live football newsletter, tracking all of the biggest games available to watch on the device of your choice. Never miss a kick-off!Signup +Join the clubGet full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.Explore An account already exists for this email address, please log in.Subscribe to our newsletterAC Milan legend Massimo Ambrosini has told FourFourTwo how a bizarre, boozy encounter with Sam Allardyce put him off joining West Ham back in 2013.Having been released by the Rossoneri after a glittering decade with the club, in which Ambrosini won two Champions Leagues and inherited the captain's armband from Paolo Maldini, the midfielder had his heart set on a move to East London.Until, that is, he met Big SamArticle continues below You may like It was a privilege that such a big club were interested in me at that age Ruud Gullit reveals why he turned down Arsenal as a teenager Gareth Southgate wasnt honest with me he left me on the bench without explanation when he took over at Middlesbrough Gaizka Mendieta on falling out with the future England boss 'I was just in a deep, dark place after West Ham got relegated. I didnt want to leave the house, feeling that Id let people down' Joe Cole on the Hammers' improbable relegation Massimo Ambrosini almost joined West Ham UnitedI had lunch with Sam Allardyce, but he thought it was a better idea to talk about wine than to talk about football, and then to get up and leave me halfway through our meeting, he said, speaking exclusively to FourFourTwo, via Betinia. I was a bit angry about how he decided to treat me, so I signed for Fiorentina.Ambrosini had been eager to make the switch to the Boleyn Ground after feeling down in the dumps about his time at San Siro coming to an end.We won our last game of the season and qualified for the Champions League, and everyone was happy except me, because I thought my time at AC Milan was over.So the next day I got on a plane and went to London, he said. I was happy, and totally convinced about going there.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.With the Hammers on the brink of a major transfer coup, all that was missing was a signature. But according to Ambrosini, Big Sams poor table manners torpedoed the whole enterprise.If you go and meet the manager and he doesnt talk to you about anything, just drinks wine, refuses to talk about football, and leaves you alone with another person, without even saying hes happy you made the journey and would be glad if you joined... he lamented.There was someone else from the club there, I dont remember his name, but [Allardyce] got up and left us in the middle of the lunch, saying he had to go to another meeting.I would have understood if hed said, Im happy you came to London, well talk tomorrow, Im glad youre joining, that would have been normal.But none of that happened, so I asked his friend, Wheres he going? He told me to be calm, and I said, No. And then I left.TOPICSMilanWest Ham UnitedTom Gennoy
