Complex sentence: Some pundits claim that despite Allardyce's promise to play "attractive football," on returning to the Premier League he reverted to "long-ball" football which, combined with his defensive tactics, brought criticism from fans, the media and other managers.
Split into simpler sentences: Some pundits claim that despite Allardyce's promise to play "attractive football," on returning to the Premier League he reverted to "long-ball" football. Criticism for Allardyce's ostensibly "defensive" tactics, brought criticism from fans, the media as well as other managers.