Everton boss Sam Allardyce reveals how meditation cured his touchline rage... and one phrase helps him keep his cool: 'The mantra is your word, which you can't tell anyone else'

• e-mail

Sam Allardyce has revealed how 'transcendental meditation' techniques cured him of his touchline rage and turned him into a functioning manager at the highest level.

The Everton boss is preparing for his 1,000th game as a manager in English football on Saturday afternoon as the Toffees host West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League.

After beginning his coaching career as player-manager at Irish side Limerick in 1991, Allardyce has managed Blackpool, Notts County, Bolton Wanderers, Newcastle United, Blackburn Rovers, West Ham, Sunderland, England and Crystal Palace.

Everton manager Sam Allardyce has revealed how meditation cured his touchline rage

Allardyce with Everton's new £20m signing from Arsenal, Theo Walcott, on Friday

Despite admitting that he is 'addicted' to management, 63-year-old Allardyce insisted the Goodison Park job will be the last stop-off in his career.

But he wouldn't have lasted this long if not for the stress-busting technique conjured up by his sports science team at Bolton during his eight highly successful years there.

'We talked about my hot-headedness and angry outbursts and we came up with meditation to help me stay calm and not get so worked up,' Allardyce told The Times.

'I became calmer, able to make better decisions, tactical changes.'

Asked precisely what 'transcendental meditation' involves, Allardyce replied: 'You just make the time, switch your mind off for a period and relax and focus on your mantra.

'[The mantra] is your word, which you can't tell anyone else.' 

Allardyce admits that he was prone to outbursts of touchline rage during his early career

The sports science staff at Bolton introduced Allardyce to meditation to curb his temper

Allardyce made a flying start after replacing Ronald Koeman as Everton manager, going eight games unbeaten in all competitions and conceding just twice.

But recent weeks have seen a slump in form and four consecutive defeats to Bournemouth, Manchester United, Liverpool (FA Cup) and Tottenham.

'When you come into a new club, even at Everton, you're talking about preaching the basics of stability to get results,' he said.

'Because somewhere along the line, people have lost sight of what those basic are. They're not as sexy as flair and skills, but without those fundamentals you won't win a game.

'We started so well and I'm disappointed in myself really because I felt we were ready to start doing a little bit more in possession, to start making a better impression with the ball, and on reflection I'm not sure they were quite ready for that.'