Sam Allardyce prepares for talks for England manager job

 

Sam Allardyce is expecting to be contacted by the FA this week and invited to enter talks over the vacant England manager's job. The 61years old is the favourite to replace Roy Hodgson and he has flown back from Sunderland's pre-season training camp in Austria.

It is understood that the FA has not yet made contact with Sunderland or US Soccer to gain permission to talk to Allardyce or another candidate Jurgen Klinsmann. It is understood the FA prefers an English candidate, but has not ruled out the possibility of appointing Klinsmann, the former Germany striker who is USA national team coach.

However, it is believed the process will move quickly to allow time for the club or national federation to find a replacement ahead of the new season. It is not just a two-horse race, with Hull manager Steve Bruce recently stating he was flattered to have been linked with the role.

Since their first meeting in Paris, the FA's technical director Dan Ashworth, chief executive Martin Glenn and vice-chairman David Gill have gleaned the opinions of the likes of Gary Lineker, Rio Ferdinand and Frank Lampard, as well as former England manager-hopeful Harry Redknapp.