Allardyce set to land the England job
Sam Allardyce will be named as England’s new manager in the next 24 hours, according to widespread reports.
The Evening Standard’s James Olley and The Sun both exclusively report that Allardyce has won the race to be Roy Hodgson’s replacement, ahead of Steve Bruce and Jurgen Klinsmann.
The 61-year-old Sunderland boss arrived at Victoria Park for his club’s first pre-season friendly against Hartlepool shortly after 6pm on Wednesday evening as the news emerged that he is likely to be announced as Roy Hodgson’s successor following a Football Association Board meeting on Thursday.
It is a dream appointment for the former Bolton, Newcastle and West Ham manager, who was beaten to the post by Steve McClaren 10 years ago.
Allardyce’s imminent departure from Wearside came just hours after FA chief executive Martin Glenn revealed the governing body was close to making a decision, but insisted it would not be rushed.
The Sunderland manager has been the bookmakers’ favourite ever since it emerged that he had held talks with the three-man panel – Glenn, vice-chairman David Gill and technical director Dan Ashworth – charged with the task of finding the new man after leaving the club’s pre-season training camp in Austria last week.
Allardyce’s first game in charge is set to be a friendly on September 1, before the World Cup 2018 qualifying campaign gets underway.
Reports also suggest that Sunderland will replace Allardyce with David Moyes, with the club keen to move quickly with only three weeks left until the start of the season.
Are you ready for Big Sam’s England?
Exclusive: Sam Allardyce set to be appointed next #eng manager. Sunderland in advanced talks with Moyes. Story here: https://t.co/NIPZBg81mD
— James Olley (@JamesOlley) July 20, 2016