With personal terms no stumbling block, the only issue was a compensation package for the Black Cats, whose eagerness to receive a sizeable pay-off saw negotiations linger and delayed the announcement until nearly 4pm, after which a graphic proclaiming “Sam Allardyce – New England Manager” adorned the side of the national stadium.
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Speaking at a news conference in Shanghai where Manchester United are on tour, he said: “Well, it is your country and I think you are a complicated country for the person that gets the job”.
Sam Allardyce took to the dug-out for a pre-season friendly at Hartlepool on Wednesday evening for what appears to be his last game as Sunderland manager.
It is the second time Allardyce has gone for the England job after missing out to Steve McClaren in 2006 and his appointment is reward for a managerial career that has proven largely successful, bar a miserable spell at Newcastle United.
Reaching Russia is, of course, a minimum requirement for Allardyce in his new role, although the group is, arguably, not as straightforward as that from which Hodgson’s side qualified for this summer’s showpiece and, therefore, only the most ardent of England fans will surely snap up the 25/1 (26.0) for them to achieve a “Perfect 10” in qualifying.
The FA began searching for a new coach three weeks ago when Hodgson’s hopes of extending his four-year stint were ended by an embarrassing loss to Iceland in the last 16 of the European Championship.
Only a compensation deal for Sunderland stands between Sam Allardyce and the England job.
“While my main focus will be on the senior team and getting positive results, I want to add my influence to the great work being done across the development teams at St. George’s Park – a facility I have used with my previous clubs”.
In their search for Hodgson’s successor, Glenn, Gill and Ashworth also interviewed Steve Bruce, reported to have left his job with Hull on Friday, and considered Eddie Howe and Jurgen Klinsmann.
“The outcome of which is people probably play not to make a mistake, as opposed to play to win”.
Southend United boss Phil Brown says that he would be interested in reuniting with Sam Allardyce as assistant manager of England.
Allardyce’s only experience outside England is in the now-defunct UEFA Cup with Bolton, where he spent eight years.
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Allardyce took over the Sunderland hot-seat from Dick Advocaat in October 2015 and safely guided the Black Cats to Premier League safety after a season-long battle to avoid relegation.
