Big Sam’s departure from the England job was as inevitable as it was ignominious.
Allardyce had only been in the Three Lions job for 67 days when he and the FA decided to part ways after an undercover Telegraph investigation appeared to show him telling a group of fake Far Eastern businessmen the FA’s third party ownership rules could be circumvented.
With serious allegations like this hanging over the man in English football’s top job, there really could only be one outcome for the former Sunderland and West Ham boss.
Allardyce said he was ‘deeply disappointed’ that his comments had caused embarrassment in a parting statement as he left his England post in record time.
Even with the seeming inevitability of Allardyce’s exit, there was a still degree of shock in the Sky Sports News studio about the decision by ‘mutual consent’ to end his tenure as England boss.
Tony Gayle said: “I’m stunned. I’m absolutely stunned. I feel for Sam but he’s obviously made a real bad error of judgement and they’ve had to make a decision.
“Football never ceases to surprise you, but I am stunned.”
While it might have come as a shock to Gayle, attentions then turned to England’s future beyond Big Sam with Gareth Southgate expected to step in and take on an initial caretaker role for the next four games.
Paul Walsh said: “I think Gareth will probably be able to do a good job. The group I don’t think is that tough a group. He probably sits there and thinks he can do the job and possibly would like to hang onto it if he does a good job.”
Iain Dowie was shocked that Glen Hoddle wasn’t on the original shortlist for England boss when Allardyce was given the job and is keen on the ex Spurs man as his successor.
“The shock to us all here was that Glenn Hoddle wasn’t on it (the shortlist)” he said.
“I think Gareth will do a great job and he’s done a great job with the U21s.
“So I would like to see him in there, but my view is that Glen Hoddle needs to get the job.”
LIVE REACTION: Our Soccer Special panel reacts to Sam Allardyce leaving England role: https://t.co/65S9CuoJwf https://t.co/oFLmYF7hbd
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) September 27, 2016
As sad end for a short tenure.
