The Big Sam era is among us, after the FA handed Sam Allardyce the England job last week.
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“If I’m honest I thought he would get it sooner than he has but he’s done a great job for a long time and he’s the right choice”.
Allardyce was confirmed as Roy Hodgson’s successor on Friday after compensation was agreed with Sunderland and he will go to work immediately on picking up the pieces of the humiliating last-16 exit.
“It’s for me to take that on board and try to package all that together, to try and deliver expertise in each area to get the team out and to pull all those departments together”.
Sam Allardyce will begin his reign as England manager with a Wembley friendly against Croatia on 1 September.
Allardyce had been a contender to succeed Sven Goran-Eriksson in 2006 but the Football Association instead handed the reins to Steve McClaren.
Asked what he would bring to the job, he said: “Man-management, I think”.
He played up front on his own all season with me, scored 15 goals in the Premier League, 18 in total.
Allardyce has been labelled with playing direct football during his career, a tag he rejects, but said England players must adapt to playing the styles he wants to ensure they are successful.
Speaking from China where Manchester United are on a pre-season tour, Rooney made it clear that he not only endorsed the Football Association (FA)’s decision but had no intention of retiring from global combat in the wake of the Euro 2016 debacle against Iceland. “One – to help the players enjoy themselves and two – to make them better than they already are”. It’s good to have a new manager quickly because everyone was disappointed when we heard Sam was leaving.
The 61-year-old has left the Black Cats to take over as England manager which could have left a gaping hole on Wearside.
“That gives me a very warm feeling about taking this position and I am very proud to be named England manager”.
The FA statement added that he would be responsible for shaping “a strong, purposeful team identity” as well as ensuring England qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russian Federation.
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Sunderland fans were more grateful after he took over last October with the team bottom but one in the Premier League and steered them to safety as bitter local rivals Newcastle United were relegated instead.
