Why would Sunderland’s Sam Allardyce be the perfect choice for England’s next manager?

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Of all the candidates linked with the vacant England manager’s position, none polarises opinion quite like Sam Allardyce. West Ham United supporters could not wait to get rid of him in the summer of 2015 after becoming tired of the brand of football on display at Upton Park. Head north to Sunderland and it is a different story. There he is revered as a hero for masterminding their Premier League survival against all odds. While many would sneer at the suggestion, Allardyce is currently the bookies’ favourite for the England post – and for good reason.

No word describes England’s Euro 2016 campaign more succinctly than shambolic. From start to finish, Roy Hodgson made a catalogue of errors that resulted in a second-round exit and brought his four-year tenure to an unsavoury end. Unfathomable selection decisions, such resting six players for the crucial Group B match against Slovakia, and bizarre substitutions throughout the tournament backfired spectacularly and left his position untenable. Although the hastiness of his resignation – confirmed within minutes of the defeat by Iceland – was a surprise, the announcement itself was not. His reign had come to a natural conclusion.

Ten days on from that miserable night in Nice, the Football Association appear no closer to identifying Hodgson’s successor. FA chief executive Martin Glenn has stressed he is not restricting his search to Englishmen alone. Nevertheless, there is no doubt it would be desirable. Look at every major footballing country and you’ll discover that their head coach is one of their own. It’s what the public want too, because it cultivates an identity to which they can relate.

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The problem in England however, is that viable candidates are thin on the ground. Of the 20 Premier League clubs just three are piloted by Englishmen. Allardyce is joined by Bournemouth’s Eddie Howe and Alan Pardew at Crystal Palace. Howe is held in high esteem at the FA for the wonderful job he has done on the south coast, but a lack of experience of working with top-class players will surely count against him. He is one for the future, not the present. Pardew meanwhile, was among the favourites for the job at the turn of the year, before a disappointing finish to the campaign in which Palace tumbled into the relegation picture lowered his stock.

That leaves Allardyce. Not by process of elimination, but on merit. He transformed Sunderland’s season after taking over from Dick Advocaat last October, when they were marooned at the foot of the table. Survival had seemed improbable, but Allardyce took a group of dysfunctional players and organised them into a well-drilled team with a purpose. Sound familiar? When assessing the current crop of England players – undoubtedly talented but lacking leadership and direction – it is these characteristics that are required.

An infamous remark from Jose Mourinho, who claimed Allardyce’s teams played ‘19th century football’ has fuelled the perception that he is a long-ball merchant. That is a myth. Resolute in defence and tactically astute – yes – but it is hardly route one football. There is no point playing expansively if the back line is haemorrhaging goals. Sunderland are not Manchester City and Allardyce knows it would be suicidal to set them up in an attacking formation. He is acutely aware of his team’s limitations and works within those parameters. Incoming Chelsea boss Antonio Conte, regarded as one of the finest coaches in world football, adopted a similar attitude with his Italy side at Euro 2016 and he was hailed as a genius.

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At 61 years of age and with nearly 20 years’ experience of managing in the cut-throat environment of the Premier League, Allardyce has served his apprenticeship. He may not be a fashionable choice, but he’s what England need right now – someone with a proven track-record of galvanising ailing teams. The appointment of Allardyce would also prove that the pathway for home-grown managers is not blocked. Despite four years of mediocrity under Hodgson, the FA must remain committed to their belief that an Englishman should manage the national side. Sam is that man.

Featured Image: All rights reserved by Sérgio Crahan.