Unlike Roy, Sam has a clear vision for the way forward
S AM ALLARDYCE was remarkably low key for a man who had just been given the job of his dreams. His first public appearance as England manager had little of the bombast and bonhomie that we have come to associate with Big Sam.
Was it a consequence of a roistering couple of days after his appointment on Friday? “It’s been a whirlwind,” he said. “I celebrated quietly at home and enjoyed some of my friends’ company but it was a very different weekend.”
It quickly became clear that Allardyce was not suffering a hangover. It’s England who are crapulous.
The 61-year-old realised this was not the moment for tub-thumping. Fans of the national team are so jaded after the Euros, so bereft of hope for the future, that big talk and bold predic tions would only further alienate the cynics. The players, too, are still scarred by their experience in France.
“They should use that bitter disappointment as a motivator,” Allardyce said. “Gain from the experience and make sure it doesn’t happen again. It could be held in a very positive way in the end.”
It was clear that the latest incumbent in “the impossible job” recognises that only success will win over the doubters. There was no talk of a golden future. The time for action is now. “Potential is not a word I want to use,” he said. “You want a quality player to produce his best performances immediately. This squad of players is very experienced and going forward hopefully will produce better.”
Unlike Roy Hodgson, Allardyce has clear ideas about the way ahead. It will be a change of culture in the England camp. “My style in terms of man-management is having a good relationship with players,” he said. “Not being distant. I like to be in the banter. Not all the time, obviously. I want the players to feel comfortable in my presence and I have to earn their respect. I can do that pretty quickly.”
I t will need to be done rapidly because Allardyce will not have the luxury of working intensively with players as at club level.
“That’s the challenge,” he said. “It’s a smaller period of time you get with players. We have to maximise that time. We can give players information before they arrive through technology. That means we don’t have to make it too monotonous when we are together. It will have mostly been prepared beforehand so when we are together we can try and work on mentality or team spirit, bonding, so we are all pulling in the same direction.”
Since he was given the job, Allardyce has been at pains to emphasise his pragmatic approach.
At times in recent England history players have been selected even though they were out of form. The new man ‘I am exceptionally lucky. Or am I exceptionally good? I suppose that you’ll decide that’ Sam Allardyce hinted that this reliance on reputations may be over. “We’ve got a wealth of talent up front, which makes my life difficult but we need to use it to its best abilities,” he said. “It will be based on performance. Performance will be the key element.”
Unlike his predecessor, the former Sunderland manager will not pick players in unfamiliar roles. He would not be drawn on whether Wayne Rooney would be his captain but was unequivocal about his position on the pitch. “Jose [Mourinho] will determine that.” Allardyce said. “Because if Jose says he is not going to play him in centre midfield and he’s playing up front and scoring goals for Manchester United then it would be pointless me bringing him into England and playing him in midfield.”
Allardyce was also eager to hit back at those who label him an unreconstructed long-ball merchant. “It’s your opinion about what style of football you think I play,” he said. “My job is to get the players in each position and as a team to win in whatever way needs to be done in any particular game. There won’t be massive changes. There will be subtle changes.”
It sounded like a huge understatement. Allardyce has never been a man known for subtlety. Even when he is trying to be coy the extent of his ambition slips out.
“I’ve dreamt about this job so I am a lucky man. I am exceptionally lucky. Or am I exceptionally good? I suppose you’ll decide that. You know what the next dream is…”
He left it hanging but the implication was clear. Start slowly, finish with a flourish of optimism. Allardyce will hope his first day in charge will set the tone for his England career.