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ULTIMATUM: Sunderland urge FA to quickly seal deal with Allardyce

SUNDERLAND pleaded with the English FA on Wednesday not to “damage” their Premier League chances by delaying a decision to appoint Sam Allardyce as England manager.

Allardyce opened talks with the FA on Tuesday, which seemed to catch his club by surprise.

He is extremely keen on the job and was pleased with the way the meeting went as he outlined why he believes he is the man to replace Hodgson.

Sunderland said they had given permission for the talks, but urged the FA to hurry up. Despite that plea, the FA will interview other candidates, with Steve Bruce and Jurgen Klinsmann at the head of the queue.

The strongly-worded statement said: “The FA contacted Sunderland to seek permission to speak with our manager as part of what was supposed to be a confidential discussion process.

“At Sam Allardyce’s request, we agreed to this. Sam is very much key to our plans. The ongoing speculation over Sam’s position is extremely damaging to Sunderland AFC, particularly at this crucial time of the season, and we urge the FA to bring about a swift resolution to the matter.’

Having completed the initial consultation phase, Dan Ashworth, Martin Glenn and David Gill — the three-man panel entrusted with appointing Hodgson’s successor — are pressing ahead with plans to interview other contenders.

Now they are scheduled to meet Hull manager Bruce, who was due back in England from his club’s Algarve base yesterday.

They will also hold formal talks with Klinsmann, who has had preliminary discussions with Wembley chiefs.

The FA want to have a conversation with Eddie Howe, though the Bournemouth manager has reservations about taking the job at such an early stage in his career.

Indeed, the FA are determined not to put a timescale on the appointment and want to speak to all the contenders before making a decision.

That is likely to anger Sunderland, who are struggling with pre-season recruitment plans, not helped by uncertainty over Allardyce’s future.

The 61-year-old led the club to Premier League survival last season and owner Ellis Short would love to keep him at the Stadium of Light. Daily Mail