New England boss Allardyce convinced time is right for him
LONDON: New England manager Sam Allardyce believes it is just the right time in his career for him to be taking on what some have called the impossible job.
Allardyce, who will give his first news conference on Monday, has left Premier League club Sunderland to succeed Roy Hodgson with the England team at a low ebb after poor performances at the 2014 World Cup and Euro 2016.
Allardyce, 61, was upset to be overlooked for the job in 2006 after being interviewed before Steve Mcclaren was appointed.
Ten years on, he is convinced the extra decade in management will prove beneficial in a job successive managers have found comes with elevated expectations and intense media scrutiny.
“It is the right time for me,” he told the English Football Association’s website (www.thefa. com). “I’m at the right age with the right experience. Hopefully I can pass on that knowledge to the team and the staff that works behind the team to try to get a very happy camp that becomes successful.”
Asked if Wayne Rooney would be his captain, Allardyce said it was “far too early” to decide. He added that he first needs to meet with his players and staff before England’s qualifying campaign for the 2018 World Cup begins in September.
Although he reminded England’s players not to lose sight that playing for their country is as good as it gets, he urged them to relax more. “I think the bonding of the team is exceptionally important and trying to create a good team spirit (also is),” he said. “And have some fun, the game of football is to be enjoyed and I’ve enjoyed my life in the game for many years.” Sunderland appointed the former Everton, Manchester United and Real Sociedad manager David Moyes to succeed Allardyce on Saturday.