Sam Allardyce leaves England job after one game in charge

Sam Allardyce has left his position as England manager after just one game in charge, the Football Association has confirmed.

The news came on Tuesday evening after a day of talks between Allardyce and his FA bosses over allegations he discussed how to circumvent rules on player transfers while speaking to undercover Daily Telegraph reporters.


The 61-year-old was appointed to his dream job only 67 days ago and departs by mutual agreement with just one match on his record, this month's World Cup qualifying win in Slovakia.

England U21 manager Gareth Southgate has been appointed interim boss for the next four matches, starting with next month's World Cup Qualifiers against Malta and Slovenia.
An FA statement read in full: "The FA can confirm that Sam Allardyce has left his position as England manager.

"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.

"Gareth Southgate will take charge of the men's senior team for the next four matches against Malta, Slovenia, Scotland and Spain whilst The FA begins its search for the new England manager.
"The FA wishes Sam well in the future."

Video footage released by the Telegraph also appeared to show Allardyce mocking predecessor Roy Hodgson, calling Prince Harry "a very naughty boy" and accusing the FA of being "all about making money".
And among the other allegations was that Allardyce negotiated in principle a deal to travel to the Far East as a paid ambassador for the fictitious businessmen.

The FA's immediate response was to call for "the full facts", and Allardyce travelled to London on Tuesday to hold talks with chairman Greg Clarke and chief executive Martin Glenn.

Clarke said: "I went into the meeting with an open mind. For a guy who's given so much to English football and has really put his back into England manager, he deserved a fair hearing. He didn't deserve prejudging.
"We looked at all the facts we could get, we're still waiting for some of the transcripts but we've seen the television interview which was aired. We asked Sam how he felt and he said he'd been foolish and used unwise words.

"He recognised it had compromised his position and when we discussed whether it was recoverable or not, we all agreed it wasn't and jointly agreed he move on."
Glenn spoke of "a very difficult 24 hours" and said: "Sam has agreed that his behaviour has been inappropriate and frankly not what is expected of an England manager."

Curtesy of Skysports