Sam Allardyce stays in UK after England boss talks as it’s revealed FA ‘can’t afford a top foreign manager’

SAM Allardyce’s hopes of becoming the new England boss grew last night – as it emerged the FA cannot afford a top foreign boss.

The former Bolton chief flew home from Sunderland’s tour of Austria this week and was interviewed for the vacant Three Lions position on Tuesday.

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It emerged this morning that Allardyce has STAYED in the UK and is conducting the Black Cats' transfer business from their training ground.

The FA are believed to want to speak to other candidates, but his position has been strengthened in the past 24 hours.

The three-man FA panel made up of chief executive Martin Glenn, David Gill and Dan Ashworth are said to be open to appointing an overseas boss.

But the lack of any suitable candidates and the cost of appointing a star name is pushing them to appointing Allardyce.

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Sunderland are already preparing for their manager to take over at the Three Lions – with David Moyes being lined up as his replacement.

The Black Cats released a statement yesterday morning confirming Allardyce’s talks with England.

They said: “The Football Association contacted Sunderland AFC to seek permission to speak with our manager as part of what was supposed to be a confidential discussion process with potential candidates for the position of England manager.

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“At Sam Allardyce’s request, we agreed to this. Sam is very much key to our plans.

“After what was an extremely challenging season, we are keen to see a period of stability, both on and off the field, and we want him to remain as manager of our football club.

“The ongoing speculation over Sam’s position is extremely damaging to Sunderland AFC, particularly at this crucial time of the season.

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“We urge the FA to respect the disruption that this process is causing and bring about a swift resolution to the matter.”

Roy Hodgson earned £3.5m a year as England manager – the most at Euro 2016.

And the FA believe it cannot justify paying out top dollar for a foreign boss, according to The Times.

Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger and USA coach Jurgen Klinsmann have also been linked with the vacant position.