New England boss refuses to confirm that Wayne Rooney will remain as captain.
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New England manager Sam Allardyce has told reporters at his first press conference as England manager, via the Shields Gazette, that only his success in keeping Sunderland in the Premier League enabled him to get the job.
The 61-year-old was contemplating his future in the game when his Sunderland side became embroiled in another relegation battle in the spring.
Croatia’s first match after its EURO 2016 campaign will be against England at Wembley…
“I can create a successful journey and that starts with us all pulling together”, added Allardyce.
“But, I played with Jermain Defoe down the middle on his own at 5ft 10in (sic) last year, so the style of play that’s normally associated with me can not really be associated with me when we spent all last year playing up front alone”.
“Because we have such a young squad the growth potential is exceptionally good and I would hope that the bitter experience they felt in the Euros will stand the players in good stead in future”.
“I expect the players to be very adaptable and very flexible. It may be the same system [as at youth level] but with a tweak here or there”.
“I think the England fanbase will want re-inspiring, and I can’t think of a better person to re-inspire an England fanbase than Sam Allardyce”. “As the pinnacle of my career, I want to enjoy this one the most”.
“Man management is my biggest asset and I try to help my players to one, enjoy themselves, and two, be better than they are”.
Allardyce, whose only piece of silverware came at the beginning of his managerial career with an Irish League title at Limerick City, couldn’t hide his joy after at last getting the job he had coveted all his long managerial career.
“There is no lack of passion, I don’t see that anywhere from the players”, Allardyce refuted. I have to identify what went wrong [at Euro 2016] but I’m not going to dwell on that.
Sunderland goalkeeper Vito Mannone has revealed Sam Allardyce’s abrupt departure has not disrupted morale in a squad that he believes is used to change, the Shields Gazette reports.
It is anticipated that Allardyce, a former manager of five clubs in the Premier League including Bolton, Newcastle, Blackburn Rovers, West Ham and most recently Sunderland, will not make a call on Rooney’s captaincy until the players join up for the World Cup qualifier with Slovakia on Sept 4.
“I’m hardened over many years”, he said.
“I think working on people’s strengths is the main factor. I think I’ve got the experience to pass on and not only challenge the England team and challenge myself”.
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“The challenge of the Premier League is not as big a challenge to me as when I first got there because I’ve done it for so long. It’s not just about qualifying, but going as far as we can”. “Then we can focus on the in-depth issues. But that could be a great help in making sure they don’t feel like that again”, said Allardyce.
