“Big” Sam Allardyce is in some big trouble these days, following a story by The Telegraph that saw him become public enemy No. 1 in England. As the boss of the English National Team, his conduct certainly wasn’t ideal, to say the least.
So it should come as no surprise that Allardyce and the English FA have come to “mutual terms” to terminate his contract to be manager of the English national team. In a statement released on Tuesday, the FA confirmed what many believed was the inevitable — Allardyce’s removal as head of the Three Lions.
Allardyce’s conduct, as reported today, was inappropriate of the England manager. He accepts he made a significant error of judgement and has apologised. However, due to the serious nature of his actions, The FA and Allardyce have mutually agreed to terminate his contract with immediate effect.
This is not a decision that was taken lightly but The FA’s priority is to protect the wider interests of the game and maintain the highest standards of conduct in football. The manager of the England men’s senior team is a position which must demonstrate strong leadership and show respect for the integrity of the game at all times.
In the Telegraph expose, Allardyce is caught on tape arranging a £400,000 deal and offering advice to businessmen on how to “get around” FA rules on player transfers.
He also is talked to about paying players for a specific transfer, but clearly gets uncomfortable about that and turns that idea down on its face.
Oh, and lest you think the third-party ownership scheme was bad enough, you should see the list of horrific acts that managers and club insiders were caught admitting to or wanting to participate in via The Telegraph report that is engulfing much of English football as we speak.
Allardyce also had some harsh words for Roy Hodgson, the man he replaced, and former assistant Gary Neville.
He said that Roy Hodgson was “too indecisive” during England’s crucial European Championship defeat to Iceland. He also said that Gary Neville – Hodgson’s assistant – was “the wrong influence” and should have been told to “sit down and shut up”.
Gareth Southgate will take over as boss on an interim basis during England’s next four matches.
Needless to say, it was an embarrassing moment for the FA and for the now-former England manager. However, maybe given Allardyce’s obvious insider knowledge on how to skirt the rules as they exist, he can actually do some good to help reform the game he’s spent his life playing and profiting off of.
[The FA]
