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LIVERPOOL, England -- Sam Allardyce says he received an apology from Everton chairman Bill Kenwright after the Merseyside club invited fans to rate the manager and his coaching staff. Everton distributed an annual questionnaire -- aimed to shape the club's strategy at engaging with supporters -- via email to season ticket holders and club members that included the chance to mark Allardyce's performance out of 10. The fans were asked just how much they agreed with the statement: "I have a high level of trust in the current manager and coaching staff at Everton e.g. in making the right decisions to get the best out of the team." Certain sections of Everton's fanbase are unhappy with Allardyce since his arrival in November 2017 due to the style of football and results coming from it, with some giving him only 1 out of 10. "I'm only answering this question once. In fact, I'm not taking the question. The survey, alright," Allardyce told a news conference. "The director of marketing and communications has clearly slipped up. Our department has not been asked what we think of this survey that was going out, even though I believe the survey has been recently passed out before. "From my point of view, it was a big mistake. I think it has allowed you [the media] to write some beautiful headlines on that situation. "But the actual survey question was: 'What do you think of the manager, the players and the staff.' Obviously, our managing director of marketing clearly is not a great understander of football and how football works because he's into marketing, branding and market research. "He must have thought it was the right thing to do, but clearly everybody else hasn't and certainly my department -- even the chairman, who I spoke to last night. "[I had an apology] off the chairman, yes. That's it. Let's move on. Don't ask me how many marks you'd think I'd get out of 10 either!" Allardyce was then asked what he would rate him himself out of 10 and replied: "P--- off, 11!" before laughter ensued in the media room at Finch Farm. The former England manager, who says he has been putting plans in place at Everton for next season, insists the survey has not made him consider his position at Goodison Park. "It hasn't made any difference to me concerning my position at the football club," he added. "Until somebody rings me up at the very highest level and says: 'Sam, you're not wanted anymore' then I'll hold my hands up and say: 'OK, if that's how you feel, fine.' "But I'd be extremely disappointed if that was the case. In fact, I'd be much more than disappointed."
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