By Andrew Warshaw
July 21 – Confirmation of Sam Allardyce as the new England manager is imminent but already his credentials for the job have split opinion perhaps more than any previous holder a role that is either the most coveted in football or a poisoned chalice depending on your point of view.
No sooner had media reports announced that Allardyce had been given the job in succession to Roy Hodgson than phone-ins and social media sites offered pro- and anti-Allardyce sentiment in equal measure.
Critics say his unspectacular style of play, lack of international pedigree and the fact that he has won no major trophies represent another bland, unexciting old guard appointment that will not change England’s fortunes. Others counter that his track record of constantly getting the best out of players with limited resources, his motivational skills plus a modern approach that defies his 61 years make him an inspired choice.
Former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, who led the country to the quarter-finals of three major tournaments between 2001 and 2006, told BBC Sport: “Sam’s been in English football for a long time. He’s always been doing very well.”
But Eriksson, who now manages Shanghai SIPG in the Chinese Super League, warned: “What is successful for England? Is it quarter-final or semi-final? Winning?”
Allardyce’s last duty for Sunderland, where he has miraculously staved off relegation in successive seasons, was taking the team for a pre-season friendly at Hartlepool. The former Bolton, Newcastle and West Ham manager has been given the England job at the second attempt after losing out to Steve McClaren 10 years ago.
Now he has little over six weeks before England’s opening 2018 World Cup qualifying tie against Slovakia on September 4. It is expected most of the players will be similar to those who performed, or rather under-performed, at Euro 2016 where England were dumped out by Iceland.
Ironically, his appointment comes a few days before the 50th anniversary of England’s 1966 World Cup triumph, since when they have been also-rans on the international stage.
The Daily Telegraph reported that Allaydyce was only selected after Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger turned down the job. But in interviews before the appointment was made official, English FA chief executive Martin Glenn made it clear the constant failures could not go on.
“The new manager has got to be someone who can inspire people to get the best out of themselves, build resilience and unashamedly adopt the kind of psychological techniques of other sports and other football teams, to really inspire people that when they put their England jersey on they play as well for England as they do for their club,” said Glenn.
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