Big Sam: time for players to deliver

SAM ALLARDYCE has received the backing of Wayne Rooney after he was finally confirmed as England manager.

One of the first tasks facing Allaryce will be to decide whether to keep England’s record goalscorer and captain in the squad, and Rooney assured him there is no chance of him calling time on his international career.

When asked if he wanted to take part in England’s 2018 World Cup qualification campaign, Rooney insisted, ‘‘Yes, I’ll be there. I think it’s a good appointment for England. He will probably bring a different way of playing to England, and hopefully it’s a good way and we can be successful under him.’’

Allardyce has signed an initial two-year contract, worth £3.5 million (NZ$6.5m) a season.

‘‘I know we have talented, committed players and it is time for us to deliver,’’ he said. ‘‘I will do everything I can to help England do well. We have to make the whole country proud.’’

The FA agreed a £2m ($3.75m) compensation package with Sunderland, who put out a terse statement in which they did not even acknowledge Allardyce’s role in steering them from Premier League relegation last season.

Allardyce’s first assignment will be a friendly at Wembley on September 1, a game scheduled before his appointment, against unnamed opposition. Allardyce will have three days to work with his squad beforehand, with England’s first World Cup qualifier away to Slovakia coming three days later.

Allardyce, 61, said he was ready for the challenge of turning around England’s fortunes after their embarrassing exit from Euro 2016 at the hands of Iceland last month.

‘‘While my focus will be on the senior team, I want to add my influence to the great work being done across the development teams.’’

FA chief executive Martin Glenn said Allardyce, the unanimous choice of the three-man selection panel. was the outstanding candidate interviewed, having also spoken to Jurgen Klinsmann, Eddie Howe and Steve Bruce.

Sunderland have made clear their dissatisfaction with the process. The club is looking for a seventh permanent manager in five years. Former Everton and Manchester United manager David Moyes is expected to take over. TIMES