Why Allardyce has qualities to lead England out of doldrums

As Sam Allardyce prepares for the biggest job interview of his life, the Sunderland manager could be forgiven for making some background checks on the venue of his impending grilling by the Football Association.

Per the source, Allardyce is now in Austria with Sunderland, training for the upcoming season but will return to England this coming week to meet with the FA executive’s panel.

The Guardian reports that the Sunderland manager will be interviewed in the next few days “after being identified as the best option of all the available Englishmen”.

Allardyce will be included on the FA’s shortlist of candidates to replace Hodgson, who resigned in the wake of England’s last-16 exit at the European Championships.

The Daily Telegraph has reported that Hull City boss Steve Bruce is among those the FA would like to speak to about the vacancy, while Allardyce is also said to be keen.

That should encourage Martin Glenn, Dan Ashworth and David Gill – the FA’s chief executive, technical director and vice-chairman respectively – in their pursuit of Allardyce.

Gold was Sam Allardyce’s co-chairman when the former Bolton manager was at West Ham United.

“I had a shot at the England job, impressed in an interview but missed out to Steve McClaren”, he wrote. One: there was no facility to demonstrate the Powerpoint presentation that he had prepared. The Arsenal boss previously suggested he could be tempted by an offer from the FA.

Allardyce, who is on the FA shortlist to be the next England boss, has been given cash to spend to strengthen the squad. I have always respected all my contacts [throughout my career] and will continue to do that.

As well as speaking to former players such as Gary Lineker, Rio Ferdinand and Frank Lampard, the FA has also sought the advice of Harry Redknapp.