The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Allardyce’s reign at England ended
Talks with FA over corruption investigation end in departure
Sam Allardyce’s reign as England manager ended last night after just 67 days in the post, having taken charge of just one game.
The former Bolton, West Ham United and Sunderland boss’s £3 million a year, contract was terminated by mutual agreement with the Football Association after a Daily Telegraph investigation into corruption.
Allardyce was covertly filmed making a variety of indiscreet and controversial comments to undercover reporters posing as businessmen and appeared to show willingness to negotiate a pay day to act as a keynote speaker for investment firms in the Far East.
The 61-year-old, who took over from Roy Hodgson after England’s exit from the European Championships at the hands of Iceland in June, also discussed the apparent circumvention of thirdparty ownership, a practice that was banned by the FA in 2008.
Allardyce’s one game in charge was a 1-0 win over Slovakia earlier this month, when Adam Lallana scored four minutes into stoppage time.
Under-21 boss Gareth Southgate will take charge of the senior side in an interim capacity for the next four games, including the World Cup qualifier with Scotland at Wembley in November.
Sam Allardyce’s brief tenure as England manager ended in embarrassment and recrimination after just one game in charge.
His contract was terminated by mutual agreement with the Football Association as chairman Greg Clarke and chief executive Martin Glenn confirmed there was no way back from his appearance in a Daily Telegraph investigation into corruption.
Allardyce had been in what he gleefully described as his “dream” job for just 67 days, meaning his reign was the shortest of any full-time England manager.
The Telegraph, as part of a wideranging operation, targeted the newlyappointed national manager and covertly filmed him making a variety of indiscreet and controversial comments to undercover reporters posing as businessmen.
Some were merely disparaging or offensive – such as those aimed at predecessor Roy Hodgson, who was demeaningly referred to as ‘Woy’ in a reference to his speech impediment – while others were taken more seriously by the FA.
The willingness of Allardyce and his adviser Mark Curtis to negotiate a £400,000 pay day to act as a keynote speaker for investment firms in the Far East was not viewed kindly by employers who already paid him £3 million a year, despite his belated caveat that he would need to run any deal “past the powers that be”.
And his thoughts on third-party ownership were arguably even more damaging, as he discussed the apparent circumvention of a practice that was banned by the FA in 2008.
The former Sunderland, West Ham and Bolton manager, whose England side beat Slovakia 1-0 earlier this month, gave a “sincere and wholehearted apology” for his part in the messy divorce.
“Further to recent events, the FA and I have mutually agreed to part company,” Allardyce said.
“It was a great honour for me to be appointed back in July and I am deeply disappointed at this outcome.
“This afternoon, I met with Greg Clarke and Martin Glenn and offered a sincere and wholehearted apology for my actions.
“Although it was made clear during the recorded conversations that any proposed arrangements would need the FA’s full approval, I recognise I made some comments which have caused embarrassment.
“As part of today’s meeting, I was asked to clarify what I said and the context in which the conversations took place. I have co-operated fully in this regard.
“I also regret my comments with regard to other individuals.”
England Under-21 manager Gareth Southgate will take charge of the senior side’s next four games – the first of which is at home to Malta on October 8 – with a squad announcement due on Sunday.
The status of Allardyce-appointed coaches Sammy Lee, Craig Shakespeare and Martyn Margetson has yet to be revealed, indicating they could assist Southgate, who could be considered for a permanent contract alongside the likes of of Alan Pardew, Eddie Howe, Steve Bruce and Jurgen Klinsmann.
Hodgson’s assistant Gary Neville, who was also mentioned in less-than-flattering terms on the Telegraph tapes, looks to have shelved his coaching career for the time being.
Glenn will be hoping for a better appointment this time, having led a three-man panel including board member David Gill and technical director Dan Ashworth this summer that decided Allardyce was the right appointment.
Glenn told FATV that Allardyce’s behaviour “has been inappropriate and, frankly, not what is expected of an England manager” but described parting ways with him as “painful”.
Clarke, who was not yet chairman when Allardyce arrived, went further by suggesting Allardyce was doing “a cracking job” prior to the revelations.
“I don’t think it’s embarrassing. I think it’s rather sad,” Clarke said.
“I think when you’ve got a manager who is doing a good job and makes some comments that leads him into a situation where his job is no longer tenable, then that’s sad.”
Despite any regrets that may still exist on either side, the wording of the formal announcement left no doubt that had an agreement not been reached, the result would have been dismissal.
“Allardyce’s conduct, as reported today, was inappropriate of the England manager,” read the strongly-worded FA statement.
“He accepts he made a significant error of judgment and has apologised. However, due to the serious nature of his actions, the FA and Allardyce have mutually agreed to terminate his contract with immediate effect.
“This is not a decision that was taken lightly but the FA’s priority is to protect the wider interests of the game and – maintain the highest standards of conduct in football.
“The manager of the England men’s senior team is a position which must demonstrate strong leadership and show respect for the integrity of the game at all times.
Former England defender Rio Ferdinand believes other nations will be barely able to contain their mirth at the FA’s latest plight.
“I think the rest of the football community around the world will just be laughing at us. It just feels like it’s become a comical event, the England manager’s role,” he said.
Former England captain Alan Shearer was even more definitive on Twitter, writing: “Still stunned. Staggering misjudgment by Sam. I thought post Euros @England had hit an all-time low but this has to be rock bottom.”