Reports: The FA approached Arsene Wenger before closing in on Sam Allardyce
According to multiple reports in England, Sam Allardyce is on the verge of becoming the England national football team’s manager. However, supposedly Arsene Wenger was offered the role before the Sunderland manager though, but he turned it down.
The Football Association’s panel of Technical director, consisting of Dan Ashworth, Chief executive Martin Glenn and Vice-chairman David Gill will after some deliberation declare that Allardyce is the preferred candidate to take on the head coach role.
After England’s disappointing Euro 2016 campaign, it was clear to everyone that Roy Hodgson couldn’t continue and the FA have been on the lookout for a replacement ever since. It was remarked that managers of foreign nationalities would also be considered for the role, with the expectation that they had an understanding of English football and had perhaps spent some time managing in the Premier League.
As per reports in the Telegraph, it would appear that the FA had indeed made an offer to one such person in Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger before closing in on Allardyce. The Frenchman has a year left on his Arsenal contract and has been managing in the top division for 20 years now. However, Wenger passed down the chance to become England manager.
The Arsenal manager wants to see out the last year of his contract with the Gunners.
Sam Allardyce should now imminently be confirmed as the England coach, as he impressed the FA panel with his plans to psychologically revamp the England dressing room and instill a sense of pride and commitment in the players.
Allardyce will supposedly make less than the £3.5million salary that Hodgson was given but will have several bonuses tied to performances in his contract. Big Sam will most likely sign a 2-year deal.
The Football Association will subsequently work on a compensation deal with Sunderland and seek to declare their appointment soon. Allardyce’s first competitive game as the England coach will be the World Cup qualifier against Slovakia on September 4.
Allardyce and Wenger never really got on as rival managers, the former often frustrating Wenger in head-to-head clashes, even though Arsene is clearly recognized as the more decorated manager. Sam has immense experience as a manager as well, often exceeding expectations with Bolton Wanderers and West Ham United.
His work with Sunderland has also caught the eye, as he took over the club when they were 19th having amassed only 3 points in their opening 8 games. The 61-year old would go on to ensure their Premier League survival and will now soon be appointed as England manager, which will be, undoubtedly, a high point of his career.