New England boss Sam Allardyce has refused to confirm who will be his captain as he looks to wait until he has met with the players first. The humiliating defeat prompted Roy Hodgson to resign as coach.
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The FA said Allardyce, who became favourite once Under-21 coach Gareth Southgate said he wasn’t interested in the job and Arsene Wenger said he wanted to see out his contract at Arsenal, had been the unanimous choice of the three-man panel deployed to select the manager.
England’s first 2018 World Cup qualifier is against Slovakia in Trnava on Sunday Sept. 4, although British media reported on Monday that a friendly against Croatia will be scheduled at Wembley for three days prior to that trip.
“I think that choosing styles or systems depends on the players available and then who we’re playing”, he said. We have to stand up and be counted.
“It’s a very bitter experience as we all know but that inner drive…players should keep, they should hold it and use it as a positive, say “we don’t want to experience that again”.
“Sam did a great job at keeping them up past year, but we have to get away from that, being that sort of team”, he said.
“I don’t want to spend too much time on the past I want to think about future and future of improving these elite players we have. This squad of players is very experienced and going forward hopefully will produce better”.
Allardyce has a reputation for turning around struggling clubs but has never won any domestic silverware.
Sam Allardyce was ready to quit football altogether if Sunderland had been relegated last season.
“Style of play has always been a tag for me I can’t shake”, said Allardyce, overlooked by England 10 years ago in favour of Steve McClaren.
“So whatever people may tell me, it doesn’t stop me from trying something else, or trying to create another opportunity”.
Allardyce believes, however, he has the right credentials for the position and remains confident the Three Lions will progress under his stewardship.
“I will exploit all areas for the players benefit”. I think I’ve got the experience to pass on and not only challenge the England team but challenge myself.
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“I am here because I want to be here, because I want the challenge, I’m here because I think I can make the team better and I think I’m tough enough to take it. One – to help the players enjoy themselves and two – to make them better than they already are”.
