England appoint Sam Allardyce

Sam Allardyce is the new England manager, the Football Association has confirmed.

The 61-year-old leaves his post at Sunderland with immediate effect to succeed Roy Hodgson and has been handed an initial two-year contract.

Allardyce said: "I am extremely honoured to be appointed England manager, especially as it is no secret that this is the role I have always wanted. For me, it is absolutely the best job in English football.

"I will do everything I can to help England do well and give our nation the success our fans deserve. Above all, we have to make the people and the whole country proud.
"While my main focus will be on the senior team and getting positive results, I want to add my influence to the great work being done across the development teams at St George's Park - a facility I have used with my previous clubs.

"I know we have talented, committed players and it is time for us to deliver."
Allardyce will hold a news conference on Monday at St George's Park and his first match in charge will be a friendly at Wembley on Thursday 1 September against yet-to-be-named opponents, ahead of the World Cup 2018 qualifier in Slovakia on 4 September.