Sam Allardyce may be about to officially named as England’s new manager, but only after Arsene Wenger turned it down.
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Roy Hodgson stood down as manager after his side suffered a humiliating 2-1 defeat by Iceland in the last 16 of the European championship.
He was on the bench for the first half of the pre-season friendly with Hartlepool, which Sunderland won 3-0, but did not appear for the second period.
The Black Cats have already been looking ahead in terms of a replacement, with Sky Sports reporting that they have spoken to former Manchester United manager David Moyes about taking the role.
“He’s the worst appointment England have ever had, he’ll be a worse manager than Steve McClaren, Graham Taylor and Sven-Goran Eriksson”.
“I think Sam has never had the big chance at the highest level, lots of experience in the Premier League but never that big one”.
Confirmation is expected today that Allardyce will leave Sunderland for the England job.
“The great thing about it is it his dream job and he has the desire to succeed, so I think he will definitely do well”.
“I think it is good”.
“Big Sam”, as the Sunderland manager is known, has been selected by a three-man FA panel from a shortlist that included Hull manager Steve Bruce, Bournemouth chief Eddie Howe and US coach Jurgen Klinsmann.
Eriksson, who led England to three successive major tournament quarter-finals, does not see that as a problem appointing a man who has hitherto worked at non-elite clubs like Bolton, West Ham, Blackburn and Sunderland.
“I know he is very organised”.
“Big Sam” is expected to be offered a two-year contract, which will take him through England’s 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign and right up to the finals in Russian Federation.
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And given the pair’s similarities, Gray – who played more than 400 games for Sunderland – believes the Scot is just the man for the job.
