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Sam Allardyce has been appointed the new manager of England, replacing Roy Hodgson who quit following the Three Lions exit from Euro 2016.
The 61 year old, who saved Sunderland from relegation from the Premier League last season, has signed an initial two year deal after compensation was agrees with the Black Cats.
‘Big Sam’s’ first game in charge will be a friendly at Wembley at the beginning of September, but the opposition has yet to be announced.
His first competitive match will be four days layer when England begin their World Cup qualifying campaign with a trip to Slovakia; a side England played out a goalless draw with in the final group fixture in France last month.
Allardyce leaves Sunderland after nine months in charge, having previously managed West Ham, Blackburn, Newcastle United and Bolton Wanderers, leaving the club to find their ninth manager in just eight years.
With England, Allardyce becomes the 14th permanent manager of the national side, and was made the early favourite to replace Hodgson despite never winning a major trophy at club management.
That said, Big Sam did win promotion to the Premier League with both Bolton and Newcastle, before establishing the former as a consistent top flight side.
Many other managers, and former managers, have quickly congratulated Allardyce as he takes the position. New Manchester United boss, Jose Mourinho, said Allardyce was “more than ready” to lead the national side, while former Spurs manager, Harry Redknapp, added he’d bring “a Premier League style and pace” to the national side.
Allardyce had been offered the role back in 2006 following the departure of Sven-Goran Eriksson, but the FA opted for Steve McClaren instead. Following the appointment, Allardyce has been vocal about not being selected.
Allardyce was chosen by a three-man FA panel, which consisted of chief executive Martin Glenn, technical director Dan Ashworth and vice-chairman David Gill, after a three-week process, ahead of Hull’s Steve Bruce.
Bournemouth’s Eddie Howe and USA manager Jurgen Klinsmann were reported as potential candidates, but it is not known how many other interviews were conducted.
The FA said they wanted a strong minded, tactically savvy manager who could build a clear team identity.
Neil McDonald, who has worked alongside Allardyce at three Premier League clubs, said: “He gives the players everything they need to perform to the highest level and lets them express themselves as much as they possibly can.
“He’s been in the game a long time, he’s won a lot of games and a lot of respect off everybody and it’s well deserved to be given the England job.
“He should have had one of the big four, big six jobs in the past. But the clubs he’s gone to he’s always improved them and improved the players.”
Despite being the favourite to replace Hodgson, many fans aren’t too happy with the appointment. His style of play, in the past, as often been referred to as ‘boring’ and ‘long ball’s’, but behind the scenes, Allardyce is keen on sports science and tactical match analysis.
Only time will tell whether or not Allardyce will be a good appointment, but one thing he certainly will bring over Hodgson, is a clear passion and aggression in his management, something this current crop of players certainly need.
