Allardyce in talks for England manager job

Sunderland have confirmed the Football Association has held talks with Sam Allardyce over the vacant England manager’s position.

Allardyce left the Black Cats’ pre-season training camp in Austria earlier this week and, although it was initially thought it was due to talks with a transfer target, the 61-year-old was subsequently pictured leaving the house of FA vice-chairman David Gill.

Sunderland on Wednesday admitted they had granted Allardyce permission to speak to the FA and released a statement, reading:

“The Football Association contacted Sunderland AFC to seek permission to speak with our manager as part of what was supposed to be a confidential discussion process with potential candidates for the position of England manager… At Sam Allardyce’s request, we agreed to this.”

The 61-year-old joined Sunderland in October 2015 and successfully led them out of the threat of being relegated to Premier League safety.

Allardyce appears to be favourite to succeed Roy Hodgson, who resigned in the immediate aftermath of England’s Euro 2016 second round defeat to Iceland.

After missing previously missing out on the job in 2006 to Steve McClaren, he has furthered his club career which, apart from a short, unhappy spell at Newcastle United, has seen him become a pleasing acquisition at Blackburn Rovers and West Ham before moving to Wearside.”