FA: Sam Allardyce has left his position as England manager
File photo shows England manager Sam Allardyce during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying Group F press conference on Aug 29, 2016. [Photo/IC] |
Sam Allardyce's tenure as England manager has ended after just 67 days following alleged remarks he made in a video recorded by undercover reporters offering advice on how to circumvent rules on transfers, the Football Association (FA) has confirmed.
England Under-21 boss Gareth Southgate will take charge of the senior team's next four matches – World Cup qualifiers against Malta, Slovenia and Scotland, along with a friendly against Spain.
The Daily Telegraph published footage claiming to be from a meeting in August of Allardyce telling two men purporting to be from a Far East firm that he could offer advice on how to "get round" FA regulations concerning the transfer of players under third-party ownership.
He was also alleged to have reached an agreement worth £400,000 to represent the fictitious firm to investors and be a keynote speaker at certain events, though he made it clear than any arrangement would need FA clearance.
The 61-year-old is then said to have criticised predecessor Roy Hodgson and his assistant Gary Neville for England's Euro 2016 exit to Iceland, while he brands the FA's expensive rebuilding of Wembley as "stupid".
"The FA can confirm that Sam Allardyce has left his position as England manager," said an FA statement released on Tuesday.
"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.