Controversial Allardyce forced to leave England job
LONDON: Sam Allardyce’s reign as England manager came to a humiliating end on Tuesday as he departed after just 67 days in charge following his controversial comments in a newspaper sting.
Al la r dyc e’ s r ei g n wa s sensationally brought to a close as he paid the price for indiscreetly talking with undercover Daily Telegraph reporters posing as Far East businessmen. Allardyce has left his position as England manager,” an FA statement read.
“Allardyce’s conduct, as reported today, was inappropriate of the England manager. He accepts he made a significant error of judgement 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. 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.”
Al l a rdyc e ’ s inc endi ar y comments were published late on Monday and by early Tuesday morning, the former Sunderland and West Ham boss was driving down to London in an unsuccessful bid to save his job.
FA chairman Greg Clarke and chief executive Martin Glenn had showdown talks with Allardyce at Wembley and, unable to talk his way out of trouble, his fate was sealed just hours later.
Al lardyce issued his own statement via the FA website that left little doubt he had been desperate to somehow remain in charge.
“It was a great honour for me to be appointed back in July and I am deeply disappointed at this outcome,” he said.
“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 ful l approval, I recognise I made some comments which have caused embarrassment.
“I also regret my comments with regard to other individuals.”
It wi l l only rub salt into Allardyce’s wounds that Clarke actually believed the coach, who won his only match 1- 0 against Slovakia, was doing a fine job before the scandal.
“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,” Clarke said.
Allardyce had been appointed to replace Hodgson after England’s miserable Euro 2016 campaign ended with a shock last 16 exit against minnows Iceland.
But his brief reign has come to a suitably farcical end for a post that seems to ruin every manager who takes a shot at what was long ago dubbed ‘ the impossible job’. — AFP