Sam Allardyce: 'I have best job in English football'

Former Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce has been confirmed as the new England manager.

The 61-year-old has signed an initial two-year contract and takes up the position with immediate effect.

Allardyce’s first match in charge will be a friendly fixture at Wembley Stadium on Thursday September 1.

Allardyce was the unanimous choice of The FA’s three-man selection panel, comprising FA chief executive Martin Glenn, technical director Dan Ashworth and acting chairman David Gill.

Alongside his primary target of qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, Allardyce has a mandate to shape a strong, purposeful team identity and maximise the performance potential of a young, talented England squad at a major tournament.

Allardyce is also charged with helping Ashworth integrate and strengthen The FA’s elite performance and coaching programme across the England senior and development teams at St. George’s Park.

Allardyce will select his first England squad towards the end of August ahead of the friendly on 1 September and the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Slovakia in Trnava three days later.