Allardyce a shoo-in to take over England job

LONDON – Sam Allardyce was set to be hired as the new England manager at a Football Association board meeting at Wembley yesterday, FA chairman Greg Dyke said.

Allardyce has been selected by a three-man panel who decided the Sunderland boss was the best bet on a short-list that also included Hull manager Steve Bruce, Bournemouth chief Eddie Howe and United States coach Jurgen Klinsmann.

It has been reported that the FA’s first choice was Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, but when he snubbed their approach, Allardyce, who had received a strong recommendation from former Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson, shot to the top of their list of candidates to replace Roy Hodgson.

Dyke was due to step down after three years as FA chairman yesterday but, although he was not involved in the headhunting process, he will be present as FA chief executive Martin Glenn and vice-chairman David Gill present their reasons for nominating Allardyce.

Asked if Allardyce was the man to take over from Hodgson, who quit after England’s humiliating Euro 2016 defeat against Iceland, Dyke told “Clearly the three-man group are convinced he’s the right man and I go along with that, yes.”

Once that is ratified, the business of finalising the details will take precedence.

All parties would prefer for a swift resolution, with the new Premier League season on the horizon and England’s World Cup qualifying campaign beginning on September 4, but it is possible an official announcement on Allardyce’s appointment could be held up by negotiations.

It is thought Allardyce will be offered an initial two-year deal. –