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After the embarrassment of being knocked out by Iceland at Euro 2016, and the immediate standing down of former coach Roy Hodgson, the Football Association will reportedly name 61-year-old Sam Allardyce the next England manager.
Allardyce performed a small miracle with Sunderland last season by keeping the Black Cats in the Premier League. He was appointed with the club languishing in 19th place in October, but he managed to steer them above the drop zone.
While Allardyce doesn’t provide the exotic appeal of Jurgen Klinsmann, the youthful buoyancy of Eddie Howe or the fantasy of Arsene Wenger, he’s a shrewd appointment who’s famed for getting the best out of the small talent at his disposal. England should be a perfect fit then.
Allardyce once famously joked that he’d never be allowed to manage a top four side because his last name wasn’t ‘Allardici’ — he’s always been vocal in his call for more English managers in the Premier League.
He's often been unfairly labelled a long-ball merchant, preferring a more direct style of play wherein crossing, set-pieces and organized defending are valued over individual expression or possession.
The FA, having watched the individual talents of Raheem Sterling, Harry Kane and Wayne Rooney fail spectacularly in France, have clearly opted for a more pragmatic approach.
If the Euros taught us anything about the nature of international football, it’s that the possession-based approach isn’t necessarily the correct formula to success. Just ask Portugal.
Allardyce’s key achievements include leading Bolton Wanderers to the Premier League, cementing their place there and even leading them into European competition.
The lowest point of his career almost certainly came with Newcastle United. Allardyce lasted for only 24 matches with the Magpies, compiling a meager win percentage of 33.3 before being sacked.
The FA have made it clear that they're not looking for a quick solution. Expect Allardyce to be given a large contract leading up to and beyond the 2018 World Cup within the next 24 hours.
(H/T: The Guardian)
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