Allardyce says ‘it’s time for England to deliver’

Sam Allardyce finally landed his dream job as England manager yesterday and said: “It is time for us to deliver.”

The 61-year-old lost out to Steve McClaren when he first applied for the role 10 years ago.

But Allardyce will take charge of the 2018 World Cup campaign after signing an initial two-year deal to replace Roy Hodgson, who resigned after the humbling exit from Euro 2016.

The Football Association’s threeman selection panel – consisting of chief executive Martin Glenn, technical director Dan Ashworth and acting chairman David Gill – interviewed then Sunderland boss Allardyce last week and nominated him as the preferred candidate at a Wembley board meeting on Thursday.

With personal terms no stumbling block, the only issue was a compensation package for the Black Cats, whose eagerness to receive a sizeable pay-off saw negotiations linger and delayed the announcement until almost 4pm, after which a graphic proclaiming ‘Sam Allardyce – New England Manager’ adorned the side of the national stadium.

But the hard work has really just begun. The Three Lions departed France at a low ebb, with Hodgson’s high hopes reduced to dust as the country’s major tournament travails recurred with a last-16 defeat by underdogs Iceland.

Allardyce, who rescued Sunderland from a seemingly hopeless position when he arrived on a fire-fighting mission last season, has outlined his positivity for both the challenge and the tools at his disposal.

“While my main focus will be on the senior team and getting positive results, I want to add my influence to the great work being done across the development teams at St George’s Park – a facility I have used with my previous clubs.

“I know we have talented, committed players and it is time for us to deliver,” he said.

The former Bolton, West Ham and Newcastle boss will select his first squad towards the end of next month, with a Wembley friendly against unnamed opponents on September 1 and the opening World Cup qualifier in Slovakia three days later.

Sam Allardyce has signed two-year deal.