Confirmation of Sam Allardyce as the new England manager is imminent but already his credentials for the job have split opinion perhaps more than any previous holder a role that is either the most coveted in football or a poisoned chalice depending on your point of view.
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The 61-year-old replaces Roy Hodgson, who resigned after the surprise defeat by Iceland at this summer’s Euro 2016 finals in France.
Allardyce was on the Sunderland bench for last night’s 3-0 friendly win at Hartlepool, but that is nearly certain to be his last act as the club’s manager before he accepts the England job.
Martin Glenn, the FA’s chief executive, said that the new man must make concerted, innovative and “unashamed” use of sports psychology as he aims to build mental resilience in the face of the “world’s most intensely passionate” press.
“You are a complicated country for the person that gets the job!”
“Naturally we are aware of the intense media speculation this evening, however, at the present time Sam Allardyce remains Sunderland manager”, the club said in a statement.
But Glenn is hoping for a longer partnership and intends to integrate Allardyce into the wider FA system, working alongside coaches of the national age-group sides from Under-16s upwards.
“Is three weeks a long period of time?”
Ex-Rep of Ireland global Kilbane learned from Allardyce in the early stages of his career at Preston: famously, Allardyce forced Kilbane to go for a trial with the England U17s even though Kilbane had refused the call-up as he was intent on playing for Ireland.
“We’re taking an appropriate amount of time”. The Wearsiders have been urging the FA to make a swift decision so that they could get on with preparing for the start of the new Premier League season and it is understood Moyes has indicated, through intermediaries, that he would be interested in the job.
Eriksson, who led England to three successive major tournament quarter-finals, does not see Allardyce’s lack of experience at an elite club as a potential problem.
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“You have to defend and have to be organised”. I think he’s the right person for that.
