Antonio: At least Sam leaves with 100% record

The man given his first England call-up by Sam Allardyce says: “At least he’s leaving with a 100 per cent record.”

West Ham’s Michail Antonio did not face Slovakia earlier this month but was part of Allardyce’s squad and has spoken out about the “crazy” methods used to “trap” the former England manager.

Allardyce was filmed by undercover Daily Telegraph journalists posing as Far East businessmen as he offered advice on how to circumvent FA rules on third-party ownership as well as offering his services for £400,000 on top of his £3m-a-year salary.

“It was a great time. He’s so laid back he was a good manager,” Antonio told ITV News. “The last 48 hours it’s crazy how people are just looking to trap people now. The media is getting crazy.

“I feel like he was a good manager. At least he’s leaving with 100 per cent record.

“He gave me my first opportunity, so I’m sad, definitely sad, but you’ve just got to move on and that’s how it is in football – people move on so you’ve just got to move on and keep doing what you’re doing.
“I’m a footballer, I’ve got to perform and if I keep performing the way I am performing it will be hard for the next manager to ignore me.
“I don’t say it’s important that the England manger is English, but it would be a nice feel to it and easier to get things across to the players.”