Rooney gives OK to Big Sam as Bruce quits
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. He will probably bring a different way of playing to England, and hopefully it’s a good way.’’
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.
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 to turn around England’s fortunes after their embarrassing exit from Euro 2016 at the hands of Iceland.
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 are looking for a seventh permanent manager in five years, with former Manchester United and Everton boss David Moyes expected to take over.
Hull City manager Steve Bruce has resigned three weeks before the new Premier League season and days after being interviewed for the England job.
Bruce, Hull’s most successful manager in their history, was in contention to replace Roy Hodgson as England boss before the Football Association appointed Sam Allardyce. According to the BBC, Bruce, 55, had wanted assurances about his role with Hull, who have put takeover talks on hold until September.
The club is suffering an injury crisis with only 13 fit players available before their campaign starts with a home game against champions Leicester City on August 13.
Assistant Mike Phelan would take charge until a new manager was named, the club said.
Netherlands forward Georginio Wijnaldum has joined Liverpool from relegated Newcastle United.
No transfer fee was disclosed but it’s been reported to be £25m (NZ$47m). Wijnaldum, 25, is the seventh signing made by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp for the new season. He made 38 league appearances and scored 11 goals for Newcastle last season after joining from PSV Eindhoven.
TIMES/REUTERS